A pair of second-half goals from Reece McAlear and Ruari Paton sealed St Johnstone's swift return to the Scottish Premiership at East End Park. With a 2-0 victory over Dunfermline, the Saints moved seven points clear of Partick Thistle with just two games remaining in the Championship season. Following Partick Thistle's draw with Airdrie on Saturday, Simo Valakari's side was given two opportunities to claim the title before the Jags' next match, and they capitalized on their first chance.

Having led the table since the opening day, when they defeated Thistle 5-1, the Perth side has been on a 12-match unbeaten run in the league, as have their closest rivals. St Johnstone faced a Dunfermline side that had played 120 minutes at Hampden on Saturday before their penalty shootout victory over Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-finals and was playing its third consecutive midweek game.

Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon made five changes to his starting lineup. The visitors had the better of the first half, with Josh McPake posing a constant threat.

McPake hit the underside of the bar from 15 yards and delivered several teasing balls that Paton was unable to capitalize on. Sam Stanton also came close from long range and inadvertently blocked a goal-bound effort from teammate Morgan Boyes.

The breakthrough came in the 56th minute after the hosts failed to clear their lines. Paton set up McAlear 22 yards out, and the former Livingston midfielder's first-time shot took a significant deflection off Charlie Gilmour's boot and deceived goalkeeper Aston Oxborough.

The Perth side doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Paton drifted between the Dunfermline center-backs and guided a header into the bottom corner from 12 yards following Liam Smith's cross. Dunfermline was left with a five-point lead over fifth-placed Raith Rovers but could secure a playoff place before the weekend with their Fife rivals traveling to McDiarmid Park on Friday.

St Johnstone captain Jason Holt expressed pride and relief at sealing their return to the top flight after bouncing back from a difficult spell in his career. Holt suffered successive relegations with Livingston and Saints but led the Perth side back to the Premiership as a 2-0 win at Dunfermline sealed the Championship title.

After second-half goals from Reece McAlear and Ruari Paton sparked a celebration at East End Park, Holt told BBC Scotland, 'It's just relief to get over the line. It's a testament to the staff and players because we set the standard from day one and stayed there. Fair play to other teams for putting pressure on us, but we knew we were the best team in the league.

And to get it done at the first opportunity, it's just great to get promoted back to the top flight.' Holt praised manager Simo Valakari for leading Saints to promotion in his first full season in charge. 'What you see is what you get, really - so much positivity, so much enthusiasm,' the former Hearts and Rangers midfielder said. 'The biggest compliment I can give him is that as players, we go on the pitch feeling free. That's all you can ask as a player.

Make mistakes, it's fine, don't worry about it. That's given us the platform to be successful this year. He's been different class since he came to the club.

Last year was super difficult at times. There aren't many players in the dressing room who were here last year; I'm one of probably two or three. Really difficult at times - it takes over your life. But to bounce back at the first time of asking, I'm honestly so proud of the lads.'