League · Premiership
St Johnstone1–1Dundee Utd
Murray Davidson 77′
John Rankin 68′
Lineups
St Johnstone
Dundee Utd
St Johnstone · Starting XI
- Alan Mannus
- Dave MacKay
- Frazer Wright
- Steven Anderson
- Tam Scobbie
- David Wotherspoon
- Chris Millar
- Murray Davidson
- Danny Swanson
- Steven MacLean
- Michael O'Halloran
Dundee Utd · Starting XI
St Johnstone · Substitutes
- Steve Banks
- Liam Caddis
- Simon Lappin
- James McFadden
- Gary Miller
- Brian Easton
- Chris Kane
Dundee Utd · Substitutes
St Johnstone · Substitutions
- James McFadden for David Wotherspoon73′
- Chris Kane for Steven MacLean73′
- Simon Lappin for Danny Swanson89′
Dundee Utd · Substitutions
- Henri Anier for Robbie Muirhead69′
- Scott Smith for Calum Butcher74′
St Johnstone · Manager
- Tommy Wright
Dundee Utd · Manager
St Johnstone · Cautions
- David Wotherspoon61′
- Danny Swanson86′
- David MacKay88′
Dundee Utd · Cautions
Match report
United made three changes to the side that lost in Inverness. Dillon replaced injured McGowan, Butcher replaced Spittal and Erskine was in for Telfer. David Wotherspoon had the first chance of the game after O'Halloran picked him out in the box. However, his effort was scooped high over the bar. United's first opening almost presented Butcher with a goal to mirror his opener in the last game at McDiarmid. Erskine set him free but his shot at the angle was blocked by Mannus. Ciftci was next to threaten for United when his 35 yard drive struck the post and rebounded…Read moreRead less
United made three changes to the side that lost in Inverness. Dillon replaced injured McGowan, Butcher replaced Spittal and Erskine was in for Telfer.
David Wotherspoon had the first chance of the game after O'Halloran picked him out in the box. However, his effort was scooped high over the bar. United's first opening almost presented Butcher with a goal to mirror his opener in the last game at McDiarmid. Erskine set him free but his shot at the angle was blocked by Mannus. Ciftci was next to threaten for United when his 35 yard drive struck the post and rebounded clear. With the game heading towards half-time, St Johnstone got their chance to go in front. Morris got himself in a muddle while attempting to clear from O'Halloran, but a tangle of legs left the referee pointing at the spot. Thankfully for United, their penalty king Rado Cierzniak saved his fourth penalty of the season. The first half ended with no score.
Midway through the second half and United went in front. Dillon and Erskine combined well on the right side. The latter was able to engineer space to fire in a deep right foot cross. Robbie Muirhead came flying in at the back post but his header bounced of the bar and before he could recover to attack the rebound, John Rankin nodded the ball over the line from a yard. St Johnstone were not behind for long and it was former United man, Danny Swanson, who was at the heart of their equaliser. Picking the ball up in midfield he evaded Souttar and started the move. Chris Millar nocked in a deep cross but it was headed clear from Dillon. The ball found its way back to Swanson and the midfileder dinked the ball into the box for Murray Davidson to steer beyond Cierzniak. The draw would mean the fight for fourth place and the potential Europa spot would go to the final game of the season.
Manager's Comment:
“Credit to Inverness, another fantastic result, they've had a great season. We haven't won enough games to put pressure on them for third spot and we are now fighting it out with St Johnstone and it's still all to play for. Obviously when they had a penalty you fear the worst but a great save from Rado. I don't think there was much in the game, but a lot of mistakes in the game by the players and possibly by the officials. I don't think there's much in certain decisions. I thought there was a bit of inconsistency there with certain bookings and they were very quick to give their penalty. I'd like to see it again and the one with Nadir in their box when he passed it across and was taken out.”
Fan's Comment:
“In hindsight a point from McDiarmid is probably a decent result considering how we have faired here over recent years. Like our last game in Perth we went in front and were unable to hold on. Away victories have been a real rarity this season and even when 1-0 up midway through the second half, you never feel that we will be able to hold onto or even build on that lead. It could have been worse though and this result leaves us with the narrowest of advantages in the race for fourth place.”
Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer
David Wotherspoon had the first chance of the game after O'Halloran picked him out in the box. However, his effort was scooped high over the bar. United's first opening almost presented Butcher with a goal to mirror his opener in the last game at McDiarmid. Erskine set him free but his shot at the angle was blocked by Mannus. Ciftci was next to threaten for United when his 35 yard drive struck the post and rebounded clear. With the game heading towards half-time, St Johnstone got their chance to go in front. Morris got himself in a muddle while attempting to clear from O'Halloran, but a tangle of legs left the referee pointing at the spot. Thankfully for United, their penalty king Rado Cierzniak saved his fourth penalty of the season. The first half ended with no score.
Midway through the second half and United went in front. Dillon and Erskine combined well on the right side. The latter was able to engineer space to fire in a deep right foot cross. Robbie Muirhead came flying in at the back post but his header bounced of the bar and before he could recover to attack the rebound, John Rankin nodded the ball over the line from a yard. St Johnstone were not behind for long and it was former United man, Danny Swanson, who was at the heart of their equaliser. Picking the ball up in midfield he evaded Souttar and started the move. Chris Millar nocked in a deep cross but it was headed clear from Dillon. The ball found its way back to Swanson and the midfileder dinked the ball into the box for Murray Davidson to steer beyond Cierzniak. The draw would mean the fight for fourth place and the potential Europa spot would go to the final game of the season.
Manager's Comment:
“Credit to Inverness, another fantastic result, they've had a great season. We haven't won enough games to put pressure on them for third spot and we are now fighting it out with St Johnstone and it's still all to play for. Obviously when they had a penalty you fear the worst but a great save from Rado. I don't think there was much in the game, but a lot of mistakes in the game by the players and possibly by the officials. I don't think there's much in certain decisions. I thought there was a bit of inconsistency there with certain bookings and they were very quick to give their penalty. I'd like to see it again and the one with Nadir in their box when he passed it across and was taken out.”
Fan's Comment:
“In hindsight a point from McDiarmid is probably a decent result considering how we have faired here over recent years. Like our last game in Perth we went in front and were unable to hold on. Away victories have been a real rarity this season and even when 1-0 up midway through the second half, you never feel that we will be able to hold onto or even build on that lead. It could have been worse though and this result leaves us with the narrowest of advantages in the race for fourth place.”
Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer