Martin Paterson scored one goal and made another as the Clarets ended their Scottish tour with a win at St Johnstone.

The Clarets striker confidently headed home his second goal for the Clarets early in the game and then, following a Saints equaliser, turned provider with a delicious assist for Ade Akinbiyi's cool first half finish.

Paterson was then substituted at the referee's insistence, before teenage striker Alex MacDonald provided a fitting finale to the tour with his first Burnley goal three minutes from time, capping an enjoyable night as Owen Coyle enjoyed a winning return to his former club.

Alex MacDonald celebrates his first goal for the club

It was certainly a hard fought win though as St Johnstone, virtually at full strength a week before the Scottish League season starts, gave the Clarets their sternest pre-season test so far.

Diego Penny was again in goal for the Clarets, whose 4-4-2 formation saw Michael Duff start at right back alongside Clarke Carlisle, skipper Steven Caldwell and former Dundee United defender Christian Kalvenes.

In midfield, Robbie Blake began in a wide left role, outside central duo Chris McCann and Alan Mahon, with wide man Wade Elliott hugging the right flank.

Up front it was an Akinbiyi / Paterson partnership, with Latvian trialist Gatis Kalnins handed a place on the bench.

And in an explosive start to the game, the Clarets took the lead in only the 10th minute.

Blake's vision and raking pass switched the play out to Elliott and his inch perfect cross was met by the unmarked Paterson, who guided his free header in off the right hand post.

Two minutes later though, St Johnstone were level.

Stuart McCaffrey burst from midfield and Penny did well to parry his fierce drive, which fortuitously fell into the path of Paul Sheerin to steer the loose ball into the vacant goal.

The Clarets' Peruvian stopper was alert again 20 minutes in, racing from his area to head clear from a Saints' striker and getting back between the posts in time to see Gavin Swankie's audacious attempted lob from the right touchline sail over the bar.

Scottish defender Kevin Rutkiewicz was inches away from finding the bottom corner five minutes later, firing through a packed penalty area as the unsighted Penny was rooted to the spot.

Chris Millar did have the ball in the net just before the half hour, darting in behind the Burnley defence to finish well, only to see a late linesman's flag curtail his joy.

But in the 34th minute, it was the Clarets who were ahead again with a wonderfully created goal.

Caldwell's clearing header fell to Paterson, who sprinted down the right and picked out strike partner Akinbiyi's darting run with a superb curling ball that invited a classy first-touch finish.

Ade on target

That was the last action of an entertaining half and, as expected, the second half brought a host of substitutions for both sides.

For Burnley Stephen Jordan, Graham Alexander and Steve Jones replaced Kalvenes, Duff and Akinbiyi respectively at the interval, with Blake moving into a more orthodox striking role.

Three minutes in, McCann was withdrawn as a precaution, with Joey Gudjonsson on in his place.

And in the 50th minute, Kalnins was introduced in bizarre fashion.

Paterson was incensed after appearing to keep the ball in play, but after remonstrating at the officials, referee Stephen Finney ordered Coyle to substitute the striker.

Kalnins immediately became the targetman and midway through a more staccato second 45 minutes, he showed his aerial ability to create the first real chance of the half.

The Latvian won a free kick on the right and when Alexander floated the dead ball into the box, Kalnins rose to force a comfortable diving save from Euan McLean in the Saints' goal.

At the other end, Penny again spread himself well to deny Steven Milne as the substitute looked to shoot from a tight angle.

By the 72nd minute MacDonald, Besart Berisha and Adam Kay had also been introduced, meaning all available outfield subs had been given a run out by Coyle.

But last line of defence Penny continued to impress and nine minutes from time he was again in the right place to turn David Weatherston's close-range effort for a corner.

And with three minutes remaining, that save proved its worth as MacDonald sealed a memorable night with his first goal for the Clarets.

Jones was the architect, jinking to the by-line and pulling the ball back for the 18-year-old former youth team striker to rifle home at the near post.

A great way to end a rewarding tour!

Burnley: Penny, Duff (Alexander 46), Kalvenes (Jordan 46), Carlisle, Caldwell, Mahon (Kay 72), Elliott (A MacDonald 59), McCann (Gudjonsson 49), Blake (Berisha 68), Paterson (Kalnins 57), Akinbiyi (Jones 46).
Sub: Jensen.

St Johnstone (starting): McLean, Irvine, Trialist, Millar, Rutkiewicz, McCaffrey, Swankie, Hardie, Jackson, P MacDonald, Sherrin.
Subs: Craig, Milne, Holmes, Weatherston, Kerr, Reynolds, Trailist.

Att: 2,216