Sam Dalby scored his ninth aim in 11 video games to clinch a 2-1 comeback win at St Johnstone and ship Dundee United as much as fourth within the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts edged in entrance on the stroke of half-time due to Makenzie Kirk’s sixth strike of the season.
United deservedly levelled via former St Johnstone winger Glenn Middleton after 51 minutes and bossed the sport thereafter.
Dalby’s header on the hour was the least Jim Goodwin’s facet merited from their dominance.
Saints provided little response till visiting captain Declan Gallagher was despatched off with three minutes remaining and Simo Valakari’s workforce stay firmly on the foot of the desk following a thirteenth league loss.
Each groups loved intervals of dominance in an error-ridden first half. Jack Sanders and Benji Kimpioka provided poor headed efforts and a Graham Carey 25-yard free-kick dipped too late to bother the aim.
United goalkeeper Jack Walton was drawn into motion after 28 minutes, springing neatly to his close to submit to disclaim Kirk.
An important goal-line block by Jason Holt prevented Ryan Pressure from breaking the impasse for United after 35 minutes.
The primary half appeared prefer it was heading for a stalemate till an excellent one-two connection down the left between Kirk and Kimpioka.
The previous Hearts ahead collected the return ball along with his again to aim and took benefit of Kevin Holt sitting a yard off him.
The end was what Saints have come to besides from the rapidly-improving prospect as Kirk steered a low right-footed shot into the underside nook.
Holt’s well-timed lunge stopped Kirk scoring once more, sending a stoppage-time effort spinning over the crossbar.
Dundee United’s Ross Docherty (R) and Miller Thomson have fun
Saints threatened first within the second interval with Drey Wright, from 20 yards, forcing Walton to make a wonderful save all the way down to his left.
After that, it was one-way visitors. Middleton evaded a Sven Sprangler problem and met with no different resistance as he ranged in from the left.
His fierce 22-yard drive beat Josh Rae and went in off his right-hand submit.
Saints floundered underneath fixed strain; Rae saved from Kai Fotheringham on the close to submit however that solely delayed the inevitable till the hour mark.
An aimless ball out of defence from David Keltjens gave Vicko Sevelj the prospect to select Dalby’s penalty field run.
The in-form striker beat Sanders to the ball and powered a header residence from eight yards.
Valakari known as Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark from the bench. Nonetheless, Saints couldn’t vogue an opportunity in opposition to 11 males.
Dalby dragged a wonderful probability inches extensive after 78 minutes as the house defence continued to look weak.
Gallagher’s straight pink for studs to the ankle of Aaron Essel gave Saints a glimmer of late hope.
However that was brushed away by the fingertips of Walton after Sanders met a Matt Smith cross with a bounding header.
