Dundee Utd 1
St Mirren 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

United’s excellent home form continued today with a one-goal victory over St Mirren. Though not a memorable game, three points were warmly received by the home fans delighted to see their side leapfrog both Motherwell and the visitors into 9th spot.

United made one forced change from the side that lost at Dunfermline last week, with David McCracken failing a late fitness test. Lee Mair moved to centre half, Stuart Duff dropped back to right back, and Greg Cameron came in to midfield. St Mirren – still without an SPL win since September – stuck with the same 3-5-2 side that lost to two late goals at Aberdeen last week.

The first half was hard fought, but rarely pleasing on the eye. United had slightly the better of possession, but 15 minutes had passed before the game’s first half chance arrived with Robertson’s knock-down in the six-yards box just evading Hunt. A good spell followed for United. Duff went close with a fine run and shot and then Hunt’s header from Robson’s cross was comfortably saved by Bullock.
Yet the home side still looked a little unsure at the back, and three times St Mirren came close to taking advantage. United’s back four looked for an offside decision against Mehmet, but with Sutton racing through on goal it seemed certain United would fall behind, only to be saved by a very late flag from the linesman. Then when Mair and Kenneth failed to clear a hopeful ball into the box, Sutton was left with a clear sight of goal and drew a superb block from Stillie. As half time approached, Hugh Murray headed just wide, finding far too much space in the home penalty area.

United started the second half in more determined fashion, and on 55 minutes were unfortunate to have a goal chopped off. Kenneth headed Robson’s corner back across goal for Robertson to blast into the net – but goal celebrations were cut short by the referee’s whistle. A repeat Robson corner allowed Kenneth to head for goal himself, but the centre-half could only find the side netting.

The goal eventually arrived on 64 minutes. Again a Robson cross caused problems, Robertson headed back across goal and with the Saints defence slow to react, Hunt nipped in to head home.

The visitors threw on extra attackers switching to 3-4-3 in an attempt to get back into the game. On the whole United coped well – but still struggled at set pieces. Broadfoot had two headers at goal from Simon Lappin free-kicks – one just over the bar, and the other well held by Stillie. Late on, Keane went close with a flick header from Andy Millen’s set piece.