Can Dunfermline halt in-form St Johnstone? Watch on BBC

Scottish Championship: St Johnstone v Dunfermline Athletic

When: Friday 19 September Where: McDiarmid Park, Perth Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBCScotland, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport app & website

Scottish Championship leaders St Johnstone have been flexing their muscles early in the season, but Friday's opponents Dunfermline Athletic could be peaking at the right time to disrupt them.

The Pars tore in-form Arbroath apart in a 5-0 win at Gayfield last weekend with 19-year-old forward Andy Tod scoring his first senior hat-trick to bring his tally for the season to seven goals in seven appearances.

The teenager is an injury concern before the trip to Perth after limping off in the latter stages of that match on the Angus coast, which would be a blow to the Pars.

There is a real buzz at East End Park about Andy and his younger brother John, the 18-year-old central defender who was on the scoresheet with his sibling in a 2-0 win over Airdrieonians back in August.

The sons of former Dunfermline defensive stalwart Andy Tod senior bring a youthful, home-grown flavour to the club to counterbalance the headlines surrounding the new investors plus big-name manager Neil Lennon.

The former Celtic boss described the victory over Arbroath as "the perfect day" but now it is all about building on that momentum, which will be far from easy away to the unbeaten league leaders.

St Johnstone come into this match off the back of a fine 2-0 away win over Raith Rovers.

Adama Sidebeh opened the scoring, but the major excitement has been around winger and attacking midfielder Josh McPake, who scored the second.

The 24-year-old has been a much-talked about prospect ever since he emerged from Rangers' youth ranks.

In recent years he lost his way but now seems to have found a real home at McDiarmid Park, scoring six times in 10 matches. Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn says McPake has been a standout this season.

"It's the player Josh McPake everyone has taken notice of," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The style of football they have got, the attacking intent, every game they go into they look to dominate the game.

"They drew with Morton - it was a wonder goal from Eamonn Brophy that got a point for Morton that day. Josh McPake was the outstanding player and running the game."

That draw and a narrow Premier Sports Cup defeat by Motherwell in extra time are the only blemishes on Saints' report card so far this season.

Manager Simo Valakari made his attacking style of play known to everyone during St Johnstone's ill-fated attempt to stay in the Premiership last season.

It may not have worked initially in the top flight, but they have built serious momentum in the second tier.

However, Valakari will know Dunfermline represent a significant threat as they seek to derail their hosts under the Friday night lights.

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