Dundee United 2 St Mirren 1

The Tangerines secured a hard earned three points at Tannadice this afternoon despite going behind in the 27^th minute to a John Sutton strike. A swift reply from Scott Fraser and then a Simon Murray header immediately before half time were enough to see them over the line in what was a tough 90 minutes. By Ally Stewart Early chances for both sides came to nothing before a stoppage in play with just over quarter of an hour gone resulted with first Gary Mackenzie for St Mirren and then Mark Durnan having to be subbed. Unfortunately for the United replacement Coll Donaldson, his first involvement played a significant part in the opening goal of the game for St Mirren. Donaldson slipped over the ball at the edge of the box allowing John Sutton to latch on and bury confidently beyond Cammy Bell in the 27^th minute. This was the first goal conceded by the Tangerines for over six games however they reacted brilliantly to the disappointment and were level again in under a minute. Tony Andreu played a low ball across the six-yard box which found a way to Scott Fraser at the far post who slammed the ball home from 8 yards. There was a penalty shout moments later when Murray went down under pressure from Andy Webster but referee John McKendrick waved play on. The most frantic spell of the match to that point nearly saw the Paisley side re take the lead again when an excellent cross by McAllister was met by Jason Naismith who struck the post from close range. On the stroke of half time United’s main threat Fraser won a free kick on the right edge of the box. The midfield man took the set piece and curled in a delivery towards the back post with tangerine shirts queuing up ready to score. The man who got the vital touch from just a yard out was Simon Murray to head United into a half time lead which had for long spells seemed unlikely. In the 58^th minute Spittal dinked in a cross which Murray headed towards the corner producing a good save from Scott Gallacher who held well. St Mirren responded in the 63^rd minute with a right foot shot from Lewis Morgan 20 yards out which Bell turned round the post low to his left. The corner was cleared and as Fraser looked to break up field he was crudely taken out from behind by sub David Clarkson who earned just a yellow from referee McKendrick. Former Tannadice favourite Webster was next to earn a booking for a foul on Spittal before Donaldson headed just wide from the free kick. It needed a saving challenge from Edjenguele to prevent Morgan from pulling the trigger after he was sent clear in the box. This was a clear warning that another goal was needed to seal the points and the home side thereafter looked to press forward. Murray lost his balance after a foraging run into the box before Gallacher made a good save from a Dillon shot from long range that was heading towards the top corner. With the visitors pushing forward chasing an equaliser there were opportunities for United on the break and on one of these occasions Fraser just failed to connect his head with Spittal’s ball in. It again required Edjenguele to make a vital challenge, this time on sub Lawrence Shankland, as the hosts had to withstand some late St Mirren pressure. There was a glaring opportunity to clinch it just into injury time when Andreu played in Spittal who blasted over from 8 yards before a dangerous cross at the other end went by for a goal kick, just evading the two St Mirren players waiting to connect. Thankfully the Terrors were able to see the game out and the relief at the final whistle inside the stadium reflected the fact this was a massive three points.  United – Bell, Dillon, Dixon, Durnan (Donaldson 25) Spittal, Murray (Smith 80), Fraser, Telfer (van der Velden), Edjenguele, Flood, Andreu. Subs not used - Zwick, Murdoch, Obadeyi, Robson. St Mirren – Gallacher, Naismith, Irvine, Mackenzie (Baird 19), Quinn (Clarkson 60), Mallan, Sutton, McAllister (Shankland 79), Webster, Morgan, Magennis. Subs not used – Langfield, Gallagher, McLear, Hardie. Referee – John McKendrick Attendance - 7247