Steven MacLean marked his return from a four-month injury lay-off with two goals against hapless Motherwell in a 3-0 win for St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

MacLean, who was returning from knee surgery, grabbed his first of the evening when goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen parried a ball into his path after saving a Stevie May free-kick.

He then scored his and the Saints' second when Brian Easton's cross from deep on the left found him nipping in ahead of Shaun Hutchinson at the back post in a first half dominated by the home side.

The points were secured for the Perth side late on when Gary Miller ran down the left unchallenged before cutting inside and lashing an unstoppable shot into the net.