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Chaos reigns on St Johnstone's Premiership return as Kilmarnock stunned in seven-goal thriller Simo Valakari’s Saints pick up all three points on McDiarmid Park flag day as Ayrshire outfit’s defensive frailties punished. St Johnstone picked up three dramatic points on their return to the Scottish Premiership as Simo Valakari’s side came out on top in a 4-3 thriller against Kilmarnock. The hosts were in front and pegged back twice by their visitors before the Ayrshire outfit took the lead in a chaotic opening ten minutes of the second half. However, Neil McCann’s side looked vulnerable at the back throughout and so it proved, as Saints scored two more to secure the three points. St Johnstone came into the game on the back of a disappointing League Cup group stage where a loss to Championship new boys Inverness and a draw at home to League One East Fife had them eliminated. As for Kilmarnock, they didn't concede a goal in their four games and finished top of their pool but were unconvincing to say the least, needing penalty shoot-out wins against League One Peterhead and Championship Raith Rovers after 0-0 draws and requiring a last minute winner to overcome Elgin City of League Two. What happened during St Johnstone 4-3? On the back of those respective campaigns it was easy to see why these two were amongst pre-season favourites for relegation. At the very least, it looks set to be entertaining for the Perth side. The hosts were the better team in the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead when Josh Fowler fired the ball home from Jamie Gullan’s cut back. The former Queen’s Park man scoring the first top flight goal of his career but it all came from Aaron Tshibola’s mistake which gifted Saints the ball and the opportunity to spring a counter attack. Killie were guilty of coughing up possession too easily throughout but the home side couldn’t punish them further and were made to pay themselves when a simple cross was headed down by Tom Lowry in the box for skipper Greg Kiltie to put in the back of the net from close range. Valakari could still be the happier of the two managers going into the break but what followed at the start of the second half was nothing short of pandemonium. It started with Saints regaining the lead as Cheick Diabate got the run on Ethan Brown to head home Jamie Gullan’s corner at the back post. They were ahead less than two minutes as keeper Toby Steward misjudged a Jamie Brandon cross which allowed Joe Hugill to nip in front of the Portsmouth loanee and lob it over him. Less than five minutes after that and the visitors had the lead as they easily picked off a long clearance from Steward and worked it to Nicky Clescenco who cut inside and forced a save from the keeper but the rebound came off Jason Holt and into the net for an own goal. The Saints keeper had a measure of redemption when he produced a good save from a Kiltie header to stop Killie extending their lead and Saints were rewarded with an equaliser as Gullan’s excellent free kick delivery was headed in by substitute Louis Lloyd with his first touch after coming on. The game was there to be won by either side and it was the Championship title holders who did so when Fowler picked out substitute Kai Fotheringham who showed good composure to take a touch in the box and pick his spot. The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly Comments Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.