Ryan Hedges came off the bench to score the only goal of the game as Aberdeen recorded their first win of the season at St Johnstone.
The Dons were far from at their best in what was their second game of the season but Dons boss Derek McInnes will be delighted to see his side take all three points thanks to Hedges’ late strike.
Jonny Hayes, one of the eight players who visited a city centre bar which led to them having to self-isolate for two weeks, replaced the suspended Andy Considine after being given a left wing back role while new signing Ross McCrorie was handed his debut in a back three with Tommie Hoban and Ash Taylor.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes matched up with St Johnstone’s 3-4-3 formation with Lewis Ferguson deployed as a makeshift striker alongside Niall McGinn and Scott Wright.
The first half was one of precious few chances for either side although it was Saints, playing their first home match of the season, who looked most likely.
Danny McNamara tested Joe Lewis with a 20 yard effort while Aberdeen’s only chance fell to Funso Ojo but the midfielder volleyed Hayes’ cross over the crossbar.
Matty Kennedy and Connor McLennan replaced Dean Campbell and Ronald Hernandez at the interval as McInnes tried to inject some more energy into his side’s play.
But with little in the way of attacking play being shown by either side McInnes sent Craig Bryson on for the final 20 minutes in the hope of finding s spark which had been missing for the majority of the game.
But it was the final Dons sub, Hedges, who made the difference.
The Wales international had only been on the pitch three minutes when he cut in from the right flank before firing low past Parish from the edge of the box to give his side victory.