AT last a bonus that everybody at Rugby Park can be satisfied with.

Kilmarnock kept up their impressive form in Perth, their match against St Johnstone bringing further cause for optimism this season, as well as three points.

It brought a bright end to a week clouded by acrimony; the Ayrshire club having been mired in a disagreement over incentive payments. Chairman Michael Johnston confirmed last night that he will not increase the £20,000 pot to be split among the first-team squad should they finish at least 10th in the SPFL Premiership this season, although the players' union remain eager to renegotiate the deal.

It was the home side who opened the scoring, though, with a contentious strike. Murray Davidson controlled the ball on his thigh after 10 minutes and prodded it towards the net. Manuel Pascali appeared to hook the shot off the line, but the match officials awarded the goal.

Josh Magennis headed in the equaliser after 19 minutes when he collided with Ross Barbour's deflected cross towards the far post. It was only the second time the Kilmarnock forward had scored this season, but there would be little time to savour the moment.

Another run towards a post three minutes later led Magennis to glance the ball into the net and put his side ahead. "We were really dangerous on the counter-attack with the pace we've got," said Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston. "We showed great desire and hunger."

Magennis might have left Perth with the match ball as well as the appreciation of his manager but was wayward with a volley and a close-range header in the first half and a low strike when sent clear on goal after the break.

"We had a lot of chances, but St Johnstone are a hard team to play against," Johnston added.

Magennis will be absolved given the chances he put away proved crucial and that his side have also been able to rely on the conviction of others this term.

This is supported by statistics which assert that Kilmarnock have lost just once in six matches - against St Johnstone in the third round of the League Cup - have scored in each of their last three games and are now fourth in the Premiership table.

But their growing confidence is evident, too, in the compelling performances of such as Mark Connolly, a sturdy defender who appears to take pride in letting opposing players know he is there. And then continuing to remind them.

His resolve was broken only once yesterday, by Davidson's effort. The decision to award that early goal provoked rancour among the visiting side which was not appeased until five minutes before the break,when the St Johnstone player put the ball in net again only to be given a yellow card rather than an equaliser.

"The referee booked him for handball," said manager Tommy Wright. "I think it hit his hand, but I don't think he did it deliberately. But our goal possibly didn't cross the line. I've seen a picture of it and it doesn't look over."

However, the decision to award the goal was about the only thing Kilmarnock had to complain about yesterday.