St Mirren's Scott Cuthbert (left) challenges Kilmarnock's Allan Russell
St Mirren recorded a valuable win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park thanks to Andy Dorman's first-half goal.
The midfielder struck seven minutes before half-time with a composed finish past Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe.
Killie were unable to create any meaningful opportunities after the break as the Saints defence impressed.
And the visitors could have added to their lead with Garry Brady hitting a post late in the game and Billy Mehmet having a shot saved by Combe.
The Paisley side, who won a third successive SPL match for the first time, remain in eighth position in the table, a point behind Kilmarnock and four clear of bottom place.
Dennis Wyness tested Killie goalkeeper Combe in the opening minutes with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box before Allan Russell's effort was blocked at the other end.
Both sides then struggled to create chances as the first half progressed.
However, Killie's Donovan Simmonds almost made the breakthrough in the 27th minute when he controlled Allan Russell's knock-down on the edge of the box, turned and volleyed inches over the bar.
Saints' Jim Hamilton then saw his headed attempt from Franco Miranda's free-kick drift wide.
Miranda continued to venture forward and his inswinging cross from the left almost deceived Combe, who palmed the ball out for a corner.
St Mirren went in front in the 38th minute when Miranda's cross was cushioned into the path of Dorman by Wyness and the midfielder swept the ball into the net.
Killie responded with a shot by Craig Bryson, who had earlier replaced the injured Frazer Wright, but Mark Howard comfortably held the substitute's effort.
Dorman (second from left) celebrates his goal with his team-mates
The hosts came out in the second half determined to find a leveller, but Skelton and Simmonds were unable to trouble Howard's goal.
Brady had the ball in the net after 49 minutes, but the offside flag had been raised earlier in the move.
Dorman then had a left-foot shot from the edge of the box held by Combe.
Jack Ross ventured forward for the visitors just after the hour mark and flashed a shot across the face of goal.
Kilmarnock were frustrated in their attempts at unlocking the St Mirren defence, which was well organised throughout the match.
Simmonds found enough space in the box to turn and shoot, but his effort went harmlessly wide.
Miranda almost put the ball into his own net from a defensive header that crept over the crossbar.
Saints came close to a second when Brady's curling shot struck the post and, as Killie struggled to clear the rebound, substitute Billy Mehmet saw his shot blocked by Combe.
Substitute Conor Sammon threatened a late equaliser but was foiled by Scott Cuthbert's tackle as St Mirren saw out their win.
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies: "It was typical of the SPL matches this season with the teams all like each other. The one thing you've got to do against these teams is try to get your noses in front.
"We started well enough and had a couple of decent chances and then we get hit by a goal that we talked about before the game that you've got to look out for with(Andy) Dorman's runs from the middle of the park.
"He wasn't picked up and gets a terrific finish.
"That gave them something to hang on to and to be fair they hung on to it very well because they were very tight, organised and competed very well."
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson: "It's nine points and that is the most important thing. We know if we win away from home we have to earn it and we had to earn this.
"We worked hard and the goal we got came at a vital time and gave us something to defend.
"Andy Dorman has been timing his runs into the box and he showed great composure and it was a good finish but you can't underestimate the contribution of Dennis Wyness, he has vision, awareness.
"We defended well and might have got a second near the end when Killie were chasing the game."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?