St Johnstone underlined their promotion bid with an emphatic victory at Brechin.
Brechin had the first chance after four minutes when a 22-yard drive from Kevin Byers was saved by keeper Kevin Cuthbert. After nine minutes a cross from Darren Sheridan flew right across the Brechin goal with no-one able to connect.
St Johnstone's Jason Scotland set up Paul Sheerin and his drive was well saved by John Hillcoat.
Hillcoat was in action again when he saved well from a 25-yard drive from Scotland. After 25 minutes Sheerin cut in from the right and fired an angled drive over the bar.
Brechin refused to lie down and after 32 minutes a Stuart Callaghan cross found the head of Gerry Britton and Cuthbert dived to save.
In the 37th minute Scotland played the ball across goal and Ryan Stevenson just failed to turn it home on the back post.
St Johnstone broke the deadlock after 43 minutes when Stevenson crossed from the left for Scotland to shoot high into the net from 16 yards.
St Johnstone began the second half well and it was no surprise when they stretched their lead after 53 minutes. A superb pass from Scotland released Stevenson, and he ran on to bury a shot into the net.
St Johnstone were on easy street and added a third goal three minutes later when Sheerin drove home from 15 yards.
Brechin refused to lie down and got a goal back after 58 minutes when Gerry Britton headed home a Callaghan corner, despite the efforts of Simon Mensing to clear off the line.
Brechin attacked again and Cuthbert did well to save at his post from Charlie King.
St Johnstone wrapped things up with a fourth goal after 77 minutes when the brilliant Scotland slammed a drive into the top corner from 25 yards.