Memories are short in football. Last season Valakari led St Johnstone to an immediate top-flight return, scoring 14 goals more than any other Championship team. But there was an indication pre-match the Finn would modify his style. "We need to be solid and streetwise," he said.

Against Kilmarnock, St Johnstone hunted in packs and poured forward, mainly down the left where Ruari Paton and Jamie Gullan combined. It was that pair who linked up to cut back for Josh Fowler, opening the scoring just four years after playing for Beith Juniors. Saints were on top for much of the game but were twice pegged back and then found themselves 3-2 down. Their response was helped by a manager who chucked on three attacking subs and hooked his central midfielders as soon as they went behind. Such boldness was rewarded with a Jason Holt own goal and Kai Fotheringham's fiercely-struck winner.

All this speaks to a side used to fighting tooth and nail. Kilmarnock manager Derek Mc Cann, praised last season for turning around the club, was in no mood to sugarcoat the defeat. "We got exactly what we deserved from the game - nothing," he said.