Dundee initially took control in this tight Premiership clash, with captain Simon Murray seizing on a defensive lapse to open the scoring in the first half. However, a resurgent St Johnstone turned the tide after the break, with substitute Graham Carey drawing the sides level before a late, dramatic winner from Nicky Clark secured all three points for the Saints.
Dundee, who made just one change from their previous win at Fir Park by replacing the injured Scott Fraser with the returning Mo Sylla, appeared confident in the early stages. A long clearance from goalkeeper Trevor Carson set up the first goal as Murray capitalised on defensive hesitation to lob the ball over St Johnstone’s Ross Sinclair before heading into an empty net.
Moments later, the hosts nearly doubled their lead. Ziyad Larkeche struck a well-placed shot, but Sinclair responded swiftly, blocking the attempt with his feet. St Johnstone soon countered, with Jason Holt launching a powerful effort from distance in the 23rd minute, only to watch it skim just wide of Carson’s right post.
In the 35th minute, the Saints found another opening when Dundee’s mistake gifted Adama Sidibeh a one-on-one with Carson, though the Dundee keeper was quick to shut down the threat.
As the second half kicked off, St Johnstone took the initiative, nearly equalising through Benjamin Kimpioka’s header, which Carson deflected with a superb save. Moments later, Matt Smith missed a prime opportunity, heading wide of the post. However, St Johnstone’s persistent attacks paid off in the 64th minute when Carey unleashed a low, curling shot from 20 yards, beating Carson and levelling the score.
Dundee sought to regain the lead, with Lyall Cameron finding substitute Scott Tiffoney, but his shot posed little threat as Sinclair gathered it comfortably. The Saints pressed on, and in the dying moments, they finally found the breakthrough. Carey’s corner was headed toward goal by Lewis Neilson, and Clark managed to steer the ball home from close range.
A lengthy VAR review followed, with referee Kevin Clancy consulting the pitchside monitor. Clancy then brought both managers together to explain his decision before awarding the goal, prompting ecstatic celebrations among the travelling Saints supporters. New Saints manager Simo Valakari, recently cleared to join the touchline after his work permit was finalised, celebrated his side’s resilient comeback.
The evenly matched contest saw Dundee initially break the deadlock in the 12th minute, but St Johnstone’s determination ultimately proved decisive, with Clark’s last-gasp winner securing a memorable victory for the Perth side.
Dundee: Carson, Ingram (Adewumi 69’), C. Robertson, Astley, Main (Palmer-Houlden 69’), Cameron (Mulligan 82’), Murray, F. Robertson, Koumetio, Larkeche (Tiffoney 69’), Sylla (Braybrooke 45’)
Unused Substitutes: McCracken (GK), Sharp (GK), Portales, Vetro
Booked: Ingram, Main, Cameron
Scorer: Murray (12)
St Johnstone: Sinclair, Raymond (Cameron 58’), Sanders, Neilson, Holt, Clark, Wright, Sidibeh (Kirk 88’), Smith (Carey 58’), Sprangler, Kimpioka
Unused Substitutes: Rae (GK), Essel, Kucheriavyi, McPake, Keltjens, Franczak
Booked: Sprangler, Neilson
Scorers: Carey (64’), Clark (90’)
Referee: Kevin Clancy
VAR: Nick Walsh
Attendance: 6,548