Latvian defender Daniels Balodis found the back of the net once more in the Scottish Premiership, firing St. Johnstone ahead in the 31st minute of a tense showdown against Ross County. The match ended 2–1 in favor of the Perth side, keeping their survival hopes flickering.
It was the 26-year-old’s first goal since April 6, when he famously netted the match-winner in a stunning 1–0 upset over reigning champions Celtic. Now 13 matches into his tenure with St. Johnstone after transferring from RFS, Balodis continues to prove his worth—playing every minute since his debut.
Ross County briefly leveled the score before halftime, but in the 60th minute, Eliot Watt—who had assisted Balodis’ opener—sealed the win with a tidy finish of his own. There was late drama as Ross County appeared to equalize once more, only for VAR to rule the goal offside, preserving the home side’s vital three points.
Despite the victory, St. Johnstone remain bottom of the table with 32 points from 36 matches—three adrift of 11th-place Ross County and the relegation play-off spot. With just two games left, head coach Simo Valakari’s men face must-win encounters against seventh-place Hearts and Dundee, who sit on 37 points.