Dundee Utd1–1St Mirren

In a dress rehearsal for the following week's Scottish Cup meeting at Love Street, United faced a high flying St Mirren side on an 11 game unbeaten run, and who were sitting in 2nd place in the table, 5 point behind leaders Celtic. United on the other hand, were sitting in fifth place, five points behind the Buddies, and hoping to claw back some of the five points that separated the two sides. Davie Dodds was out with flu, and Graeme Payne took his place up front.

Early chances saw Hamish McAlpine rush 15 yards outside the area to clear from Billy Stark, and Paul Sturrock had a low shot well saved by Billy Thomson. United then had a spell on top, and Richard Gough out-jumped the St Mirren defence to head strongly across goal, by Thomson brought off a good save. Dave Narey then had a long range effort go inches past the post before St Mirren took the lead in the 28th minute. Frank MacAvennie fed Jimmy Bone on the left, and his cross was returned by Stark for Frank McDougall to to net with an all too accurate header. Eamonn Bannon should have done better when he hit a defender with a shot, then McAlpine was out his box once more to clear from McGougall. Billy Kirkwood had a shot saved well by Thomson just before half-time.

United's equaliser 13 minutes into the second half came via the penalty spot. Paul Sturrock chased a feeble Mark Fulton pass-back and Billy Thomson pulled him down in the box. The ever-reliable Eamonn Bannon stepped forward to slam the spot-kick home to bring United back into the game. Another slack pass-back to Thomson, this time from ex-United player Jackie Copland, gifted Ralph Milne a chance this time, but the winger failed to capitalise. the visitors had strong appeals for a penalty when Gough downed MacAvennie in the box, but the referee wasn't interested and a draw was probably a fair result in the end.