Eddie Annand struck late in the first half as the visitors stole the points from McDiarmid Park.

The Dundee striker rose to head home a corner from Shaun McSkimming.

But Saints can count themselves unlucky not to get a point from this game after a first-half performance which had Dundee penned in their own area for long spells.

This now takes St Johnstone to eight games without a win and manager Sandy Clark must be a worried man.

Saints attacked from the kick off and showed good early possession and midfield control.

Gerard McMahon made a good early run and crossed into the box but Nathan Lowndes' back heel was too tame to worry Dundee keeper Rab Douglas.

The visitors had their opening chance in the 20th minute when Patrizio Billio's free kick went past Alan Main's right hand post.

Goal

Lowndes wasted two further first half chances before Annand headed high into the net from an unmarked position 10 yards out.

Saints were fired up in the second half, looking for the equaliser and forcing a succession of early corners.

But the Dundee defence held firm with Steven Tweed and Ireland outstanding at the centre of defence.

Annand could have made it two on a couple of occasions on the break, and Dundee held on for a victory which pushes them up the table but leaves St Johnstone staring at the bottom.

Teams:

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Weir, Bollan, Griffin, O'Neil, Kane, O'Halloran, McMahon, O'Boyle, Lowndes. Subs: Robertson, Simao, Malcolm, Lauchlan, Thomas.

Dundee: Douglas, Van Eijs, Tweed, Ireland, Smith, Boyack, Rae, McSkimming, Billio, Annand, Falconer. Subs: Langfield, Grady, Sharp, Bayne, Elliott.