Paton’s first-half double either side of a Morgan Boyes header had the hosts 3-0 up before the break as the visitors were hit with a first-half blitz.

However, they had to wait until nine minutes from time for Josh McPake to score the fourth from the penalty spot after Craig Ross had fouled Sam Stanton.

The win means the Saints enjoy a commanding lead over Partick, with both sides having just three games remaining, and are within touching distance of promotion and the title.

The Jags had Alex Samuel’s quick-fire first-half double to thank for their 2-0 home win over Dunfermline.

Samuel struck after 18 and 22 minutes to secure the points at Firhill and extend his side’s unbeaten league run to 11 matches.

The game of the day came at Stark’s Park, where substitute Jordan Doherty’s late header handed Raith Rovers a dramatic 3-2 victory over Morton.

Cameron Blues fired visitors Morton ahead a minute before the break, but Paul Nsio levelled on the hour before Innes Cameron put the hosts in front.

Nathan Shaw made it 2-2 with 16 minutes left, but Doherty snatched the win six minutes from time when he converted Lewis Stevenson’s cross.

Jamie Murphy’s 77th-minute strike handed Ayr a first league win in 10 attempts as they got the better of Arbroath, who have now lost their last three, 1-0.

However, they are seven points adrift of the play-off places with three games to play and both Raith and Dunfermline above them have a game in hand.