Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson believes his "gamble" over Danny Johnson is beginning to reap even greater dividends than his goal return.
The summer signing from Gateshead scored his sixth goal in nine Ladbrokes Premiership starts as Motherwell beat St Johnstone 2-1 in Perth.
Johnson's goal was typically opportunistic, netting first time from close range after David Turnbull's mis-hit shot fell kindly for him. But the 25-year-old had helped set up his team-mate with a good near-post run and a strong challenge to divert Liam Grimshaw's low cross.
Johnson failed to make a first-team appearance during a spell at Cardiff earlier in his career and dropped down to the National League, where he was prolific with Gateshead.
He has brought that goal touch into Scottish football and Robinson feels he is beginning to get more from his forward in general play.
"Recruitment is getting harder and we have to gamble on players," Robinson told Motherwell's YouTube channel.
"We took a gamble on Danny and I have to say that's the best his hold-up play has been, in a tough game in tough conditions, against two very good defenders by the way. (Joe) Shaughnessy is a very tough opponent.
"That's the best Danny has been. That's what we have been trying to get, the all-round performance, and I thought it was. He held it up, he brought people in, and he's just Jack in the box, he's there at the right time. So we are delighted with him."
Tom Aldred netted from a second-minute corner and Johnson doubled the lead in the 17th minute before Mark Gillespie saved his second penalty in three games to stop Matty Kennedy pulling a goal back.
Saints didn't manage that until centre-back Jason Kerr headed home with seven minutes left and there was no time to build up a head of steam as Motherwell held on for their first win in Perth for six years.
The hosts missed the chance to go fourth and ended the day in seventh after an eight-match unbeaten run came to an end.
Kerr told the club's Twitter account: "The changing room is gutted. We have lost a game and the table doesn't reflect well because we have been on that big run.
"But we are seventh and we need to get back on form against Rangers, we need to roll our sleeves up and go again."
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