United see off Saints

United edged out Saints in a close encounter

St Johnstone 0-1 Dundee United

Danny Griffin scored the only goal of the game as Dundee United deservedly came away from McDiarmid Park with all three points.

Goalscoring opportunities were at a premium in the match, but United always looked the more threatening.

It was left to Northern Ireland international Griffin to seal the points just before half-time with a crashing header.

The result leaves St Johnstone stuck on no points at the bottom of the league.

The visitors almost raced into an early lead with only two minutes on the clock.

Charlie Miller split the home defence with a clever pass to send Craig Easton clear on the right and the midfielder's cross found Jim Hamilton only six yards from goal.

The striker made a good connection but Saints goalkeeper Alan Main threw himself to the right to pull off a great save.

Moments later in another United counter-attack Main once again had to react quickly to save at the feet of Miller as the midfielder raced through on goal.

St Johnstone fought back forcing a series of corners but found the United defence in determined mood and goalkeeper Paul Gallacher was untroubled.

The impressive Hamilton went close again on two further occasions, but both efforts cleared the bar.

At the other end, Benito Kemble headed just over as the game flowed from end to end.

Six minutes from the break, United took the lead with a simple goal.

Charlie Miller hit a free-kick into the Saints box and defender Danny Griffin rose to bullet a header past Main from six yards out.

Darren Jackson competes with David Hannah

St Johnstone were unfortunate not to equalise just before half-time when a great run and shot by Peter McDonald forced Paul Gallacher into a fine save.

The opening stages of the second half saw Dundee United in control though neither goalkeeper was being kept particularly busy.

Jim Hamilton had the ball in the net midway through the second period but the effort was rightly ruled offside.

As the game drew to a close St Johnstone pressed for the equaliser but the United defence held firm.

The visitors should have made sure of victory in the 86th minute when substitute Tassos Venetis robbed John Paul McBride in the middle of the park for a clear run through on goal.

But Saints keeper Alan Main stood his ground to pull off another great save.

---

St Johnstone: Main, Dasovic, Weir, Kemble, McBride, Kane, Murray, Falconer, Forsyth, Jackson, Macdonald.

Subs: Cuthbert, McCluskey, Lovenkrands, Connolly, Parker.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Aljofree, Lauchlan, Easton, Griffin, Miller, McCunnie, Hannah, Buchan, Lilley, Hamilton.

Subs: Jarvie, Venetis, McIntyre, McCracken, Carson.

Referee: K Clark