With only two places separating the sides in the league, the first half lived up to expectations as an even contest. 

Saints will feel they had the better of the opening spell, and at the ten minute mark, Ellery Balcombe released Toyosi Olusanya with a pinpoint pass. The striker raced through and was wiped out by Jack Walton. The United goalkeepers’ blushes were spared as only a yellow card was presented.

Dundee United grew into the game with runs from Glenn Middleton and Sam Dalby in particular, causing issues for the St Mirren back line.

Frustrations were raised in the United dugout as Dalby was sent through on goal but blasted his effort well over the crossbar. A mix-up between Elvis Bwomono and Marcus Fraser resulted in an onrushing Will Ferry breaking through, and his effort came crashing off the post.

This seemed to ignite the away side; their fans roared them on as they started to pile on the pressure.

Efforts from Fraser and Scott Tanser flashed by the post, and if it wasn’t for a goal-line clearance from Tobi Adegboyega, Killian Phillips could have put his team ahead before the break.

Half Time: Dundee United 0-0 St Mirren

Jim Goodwin’s halftime team talk brought his team out fighting in the 2nd half.

Middleton flashed an effort wide of the post after being picked out by ex-Buddie Ryan Strain, and United won their individual battles all over the pitch in the opening stages.

A corner from captain David Babunski evaded everyone on its way just wide of the Saint’s back post before Holt made a late, unmarked run to the edge of the opposition box, but his effort was of no trouble to Balcombe.

St Mirren started to gain a foothold in the half, and a defence-splitting pass from the ever-impressive Richard Taylor found Greg Kiltie, who laid the ball back to Olusanya. His shot required an expert save from Walton, who kept his side level.

Both managers looked to their bench in similar fashion in search of a goal. Target men Mikael Mandron and Jonah Ayunga were brought on for the visitors. Louis Moult and van der Sande were brought on for the hosts.

The changes had the opposite effect. Going two up front meant the Saint’s back line was under more pressure. Moult and van der Sande proved a difficult test for the resolute Buddies defence. Meanwhile, the away side couldn’t reverse their fate and struggled to create any clear-cut chances in the remaining minutes.

Marcus Fraser had a final ten minutes to forget. The St Mirren vice-captain gave away a penalty in a collision with Kevin Holt. The United centre-back calmly converted, sending Balcombe the wrong way and put his side 1-0 to the good.

Ten minutes later, it was Fraser again who hauled Moult to the ground, and Dundee United had their second penalty.

A lengthy VAR check followed to the bemusement of the away support, and Matthew MacDermid made the decision to send Fraser off, and the visitors would end the match with 10 men.

Balcombe guessed correctly and saved the resultant penalty from Holt, but hero became villain as he spilt the corner that followed and centre-back Adegboyega was able to bundle the ball home, scoring his second league goal against St Mirren this season.

The Tangerines go level in third place, with Rangers looking ahead to a home tie against Kilmarnock in their next outing. St Mirren are also at home in their next Premiership game against Motherwell and will hope to get back to winning ways.

Full Time: Dundee United 2 – St Mirren 0

Teams:

Dundee United: Walton (GK), Strain, Holt, Ševelj, Babunski (C)(Thomson, 60”), Ferry, Middleton (van der Sande, 73”), Adegboyega, Stephenson, Dalby (Moult, 72”), Gallagher

St Mirren: Balcombe (GK), Gogic, Taylor, Fraser, Tanser (John, 80”), Bwomono, O’Hara (C), Phillips, Kiltie (Idowu, 80”), McMenamin (Mandron, 64”), Olusanya (Ayunga, 74”)

Referee: Matthew MacDermid

Attendance: 8,868