St Johnstone marked their return to the Scottish Premiership with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Kilmarnock, as Kai Fotheringham's late strike sealed an entertaining opening-day win at McDiarmid Park.
Fresh from winning last season's Championship title, St Johnstone celebrated their promotion by unfurling the league trophy before kick-off and made the perfect start when Josh Fowler capitalised on a Kilmarnock mistake to open the scoring.
The visitors responded before half-time through Greg Kiltie, who finished at the back post after a headed knockdown to send the sides into the break level.
St Johnstone regained the lead just 45 seconds into the second half when Cheick Diabate was left unmarked to power home a header from a corner.
However, Kilmarnock struck back almost immediately as Joe Hugill lifted the ball over goalkeeper Toby Steward after a looping deflection left the keeper stranded.
The visitors then turned the game around when Nicky Clescenco's effort was saved but ricocheted off Jason Holt and into the net, giving Neil McCann's side a 3-2 advantage.
The lead proved short-lived. Moments after coming off the bench, Louis Lloyd glanced a free-kick goalward, with the effort ultimately credited as a Michael Schjonning-Larsen own goal to level the contest once again.
Fotheringham then produced the decisive moment, bursting through the Kilmarnock defence before firing home to complete a memorable comeback and secure all three points.
The match was packed with attacking quality but exposed defensive weaknesses on both sides.
St Johnstone showed resilience and clinical finishing to outscore their opponents despite conceding three times, while Kilmarnock's previously solid defence - having gone through the League Cup group stage without conceding a goal - struggled throughout the afternoon.
Although both managers will have concerns about their teams' defending, St Johnstone will be delighted to begin life back in the Premiership with a thrilling victory.
St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari: "What a day. It was a big day for the club, to see the Championship flag and play our first Premiership game in front of our fans.
"In terms of the football, we played well today. We're playing against good players, a quality opponent, and they pushed us.
"Welcome to life in the Premiership, from nothing you are 3-2 down. Then you ask what's happening? We have been tested. This is a different level."
Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "I didn't find it entertaining whatsoever. We got exactly what we deserved from the game - nothing.
"Can't defend like that, can't play like that and expect to win a game of football."
