Rangers opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the SPL after claiming a 2-0 win at St Mirren.
Defending champions go 10 points clear after comfortable win
Rangers opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League table after claiming a 2-0 win at St Mirren.
Steven Davis gave the defending champions the lead after just 99 seconds with his first goal of the season.
Although the home side had chances, they failed to put Gers under sustained pressure and it came as little surprise when Nacho Novo sealed victory with an 86th-minute strike for his sixth of the season.
The travelling fans' celebrations were then boosted by a late winner for Hibs at second-placed Celtic, although their Old Firm rivals have a game in hand.
Fit-again strike pair
Walter Smith made two changes to the side which claimed a late 1-1 draw at home to Hearts at the weekend, as Kenny Miller and Novo both returned from injury.
Steven Naismith - also back after a spell on the sidelines - was named among the substitutes, with Smith boasting a healthier-looking squad than in recent weeks.
Saints also made two changes after a 2-0 defeat at Motherwell at the weekend, with Michael Higdon and David Barron coming into the starting line-up.
Yet the visitors enjoyed a dream start as they surged into the lead in just the second minute.
Kyle Lafferty chipped the ball into the path of Davis, who beat the offside trap to fire in off Paul Gallacher's right foot.
Lafferty did well to weave past several Saints players, but the end product was poor and his weak effort was easily smothered by Gallacher.
Lee McCulloch then volleyed against the crossbar while Davis could have netted his second as Rangers continued to press but Gallacher did well to parry his point-blank shot wide.
Mehmet miss
Saints had a sight of goal shortly before the break when Andy Dorman's corner broke for Billy Mehmet, who blazed over from 12 yards.
After the restart, the visitors almost emulated their impressive start to the first half as Steven Whittaker's half-volley flashed narrowly wide.
The Buddies carved out a decent chance of their own when they worked Brady in behind the Gers' defence but it was a tight angle and he fired into the side-netting.
Saints should have levelled on the hour mark when Mehmet was unable to direct a free header goalwards from close range.
Novo then produced a bad miss of his own when he also nodded wide of the target from just a few yards out after a fine cross by substitute Kevin Thomson.
The Spaniard had the chance to make amends when Miller squared into his path but John Potter blocked his shot.
But Potter then attempted to play Novo offside from Davis' pass and then failed to get across in time, allowing Novo to force a shot past Gallacher at the near post.
