St Johnstone2–0Dundee Utd

Both sides made one change each from the sides that secured a place in next month’s Scottish Cup final. St Johnstone were without the suspended Chris Millar and he was replaced by Paddy Cregg. United’s change was like for like with Keith Watson in for Mark Wilson at right back.

The hosts started strongly and tested Radoslaw Cierzniak with 7 minutes played. Steven Anderson was allowed to advance into the United half and unleashed a volley from 20 yards out which Cierzniak parried to safety. Stevie May kept it alive and his cross to David Wotherspoon at the front post was well blocked for a corner to the hosts. It took 20 minutes before United threatened. Nadir Ciftci won the ball in the air and United did well to keep possession going forward. Stuart Armstrong opened his body up and flighted the ball into the path of Gary Mackay-Steven who was racing through. The St Johnstone defenders desperately lunged for the ball before Mackay-Steven laid the ball back to Ciftci in the area. He hit a right foot shot low towards the the back post. Unfortunately for United, Dave Mackay successfully deflected the ball behind for a corner to the Tangerines. Agonisingly, the chance was denied by the woodwork and Allan Mannus gathered the ball. St Johnstone took the lead after 32 minutes. Wotherspoon was fouled near the corner flag and despatched the free kick from the left towards the back post. Steven Anderson rose unmarked and headed the ball past Cierzniak to give the hosts the lead. May was in lively mood and with 42 minutes played he would be denied by the woodwork. The ball bounced favourably for Saints and fell to May on the edge of the box. He hit his shot into the ground and it bounced twice before hitting the left hand post of the United goal.

Although the Terrors responded well after the break it was the hosts who looked dangerous especially on the counter attack. Michael O’Halloran on the right did well to fashion a chance after 57 minutes. He twisted and turned in the box before the ball had to be cleared off the line by Paul Paton. The second half sparked into life for United with the inclusion of Ryan Dow from the bench and it didn’t take long for him to have a great chance to level things up. Sublime skill from Mackay-Steven left his marker for dead near the byline and he unselfishly laid the ball back to Dow around 12 yards out. Unfortunately, his first time shot went over the bar and St Johnstone breathed a sigh of relief. Nadir Ciftci’s trademark of chasing down goalkeepers almost proved successful for United when Mannus couldn’t clear the ball quick enough. Sadly, the ball deflected out for a throw instead of allowing United a golden opportunity to find an equaliser. With 75 minutes gone Dave Mackay advanced down the right and although Keith Watson got to the cross at the first attempt, it was Stevie May who reacted quickest and forced the ball across the line.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page