St Mirren 1-3 Dundee United

Saints' Simon Lappin (left) tussles with Craig Conway of United

Dundee United grabbed a much-needed win in an excellent display at St Mirren.

Captain Barry Robson had a day of mixed fortunes when he was red-carded after scoring twice to give the Tangerines the points against lacklustre Saints.

Robson put United up in 12 minutes before Stuart Duff added number two just after half an hour.

Garry Brady pulled one back for Saints after the break, but Craig Brewster's side remained in control and Robson curled in a third before his dismissal.

Saints good start to the season was halted, as the Tannadice men earned their win.

In fact, it was their first on their travels in the Scottish Premier League in 17 attempts.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson made three team changes.

Kevin McGowne, Hugh Murray and Stewart Kean were added to the side who defeated Stenhousemuir in the CIS Insurance Cup midweek, replacing Mark Corcoran, Billy Mehmet and Ian Maxwell.

For United, Christian Kalvenes made the starting 11, but striker Noel Hunt had to settle for a place on the bench.

Stuart Duff was recalled, while player-boss Craig Brewster was again confined to the dug-out with a shoulder injury.

Saints started brightly and a Simon Lappin free-kick found the head of Stewart Kean six yards out but he sent his effort fizzing inches past the post.

After some frantic early exchanges, it was United who shocked the in-form Paisley side when Robson put them in front after 12 minutes.

Captain Robson exchanged a one-two with Mark Kerr before curling the ball past goalkeeper Chris Smith from 25 yards.

St Mirren were clearly shocked and struggled to find their rhythm.

And United's Stuart Duff was on alert to make it 2-0 in the 34th minute.

David Proctor released Collin Samuel into the box, drawing Smith off his line, but the ball broke to the unmarked Duff instead and all he had to do was dispatch into an empty net from eight yards.

Saints had a lot of regrouping to do at the interval, and were rewarded when just three minutes into the second half Garry Brady pulled a goal back.

Kean set him up and Brady bulleted 25-yard shot past derek Stillie.

It almost set up a St Mirren revival, but goalkeeper Smith made a calamatous error mis-hitting the ball when attempting to clear.

Robson took advantage to score the third, which effectively killed off Gus MacPherson's team.

It was a colourful afternoon for midfielder Robson, and he was ordered off six minutes from time by referee Iain Brines after a clash with David van Zanten.

United, reduced to ten men, had the two-goal cushion, and it proved more than enough to take maximum points back to Tayside.

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St Mirren: Chris Smith, van Zanten, Broadfoot, Millen (Mehmet 60), McGowne, Potter, Murray, Lappin (Corcoran 63), Sutton, Kean, Brady (McKenna 77). Subs Not Used: Bullock, Brittain, McCay, Gemmill.

Booked: Murray.

Goals: Brady 48.

Dundee Utd: Stillie, Kalvenes, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, Robson, Duff, Conway (Robb 71), Cameron, Samuel, Proctor. Subs Not Used: McLean, Miller, Hunt, Kenneth, Gardiner, Robertson.

Sent Off: Robson (84).

Booked: Proctor, Robson, Archibald.

Goals: Robson 12, Duff 34, Robson 53.

Att: 4,902

Ref: I Brines