St Johnstone Clinch Championship Title with 2-0 Win

St Johnstone secured an immediate return to the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday night with a 2-0 victory over Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park. Second-half goals from Reece McAlear and Ruari Paton clinched the Championship title for the Perth side, placing them seven points clear of second-placed Partick Thistle with two matches remaining.

The win marked St Johnstone's first opportunity to seal promotion after leading the table since their opening-day 5-1 triumph over Thistle. Both teams entered the fixture on 12-match unbeaten runs, but the visitors capitalized on their fresher legs. Dunfermline, who had advanced to the Scottish Cup final with a penalty shootout win over Falkirk at Hampden Park just three days earlier, appeared fatigued in their third consecutive midweek game. Manager Neil Lennon made five changes to his lineup, but the hosts struggled to match St Johnstone's intensity.

The first half produced few clear chances despite St Johnstone's dominance. Winger Josh McPake, who is set to join Hearts at the end of his contract this summer, struck the underside of the bar from 15 yards and delivered several dangerous crosses that striker Ruari Paton could not convert....