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Page last updated at 16:52 GMT, Saturday, 24 January 2009

Dundee Utd 3-2 St Mirren

Dundee United striker Warren Feeney
Feeney struck twice to give United victory at Tannadice

Dundee United moved up to third in the Scottish Premier League table after a dramatic victory over St Mirren.

The visitors hit the woodwork twice before taking the lead on 17 minutes through Jack Ross' impressive strike.

United levelled through Warren Feeney's 71st-minute penalty but Billy Mehmet struck from the spot two minutes later to restore St Mirren's lead.

But two goals in the space of three minutes by Prince Buaben and Feeney gave the home side all three points.

United knew they could go above Aberdeen in the table after the Dons' scoreless draw with Rangers earlier in the day.

But it was Saints who dominated the first half, threatening as early as the second minute when Andy Dorman latched on to Dargo's flick and fired a shot from 25 yards against the post.

Top scorer Billy Mehmet then hit the crossbar from close-range as United survived another St Mirren attack.

The Buddies' pressure eventually told when Dargo found Ross on the right-hand side and the full-back's sent a swerving shot low past goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska from the edge of the area.

Mehmet came close again with a shot over the bar as St Mirren continued to press.

St Mirren captain Hugh Murray's attempt drifted over the crossbar near the end of the first half.

Dundee United were much improved at the start of the second period and Jon Daly headed wide from Feeney's cross.

Craig Conway then fired narrowly over the bar from inside the penalty area.

Andy Dorman and Prince Buaben
Prince Buaben (right) escapes the challenge of Andy Dorman

At the other end, St Mirren claimed unsuccessfully for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Lee Wilkie on its way out.

United went back on the offensive and were given the chance to equalise after Wilkie was bundled over in the box by Franco Miranda.

Feeney drove the ball into the net and was then booked for unsporting behaviour.

But St Mirren went back in front two minutes later following Wilkie's foul on Dargo.

Mehmet placed the ball past Zaluska to register his first goal since September.

Francisco Sandaza, who had replaced Daly, shot wide and Garry Kenneth's shot was cleared off the line by Cuthbert as United went in search of a second equaliser.

Buaben restored parity in the 84th minute when his shot was initially parried high into the air by Howard before the ball squirmed over the line.

And Feeney put the home side ahead when he despatched Sandaza's ball across the box past Howard.

Stunned by the incredible turnaround, St Mirren searched for a leveller but Dennis Wyness' shot from inside the penalty area was narrowly wide.


Dundee United manager Craig Levein:
"I'm absolutely thrilled. Our supporters will go home happy because they witnessed a fantastic football match. The crowd were fantastic.

"In the first half, we couldn't pass the ball, it was unbelievable.

"We really were excellent in the second half. In the last 20 minutes, we were just constantly attacking and I couldn't be more proud of them.

"This was a vital game for us. If we hadn't have got three points today or had lost today, there would have been a huge cloud over us going into Wednesday evening's cup semi-final against Celtic."

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson:
"We should've won the game, no question about it.

"We created plenty of chances in the first half and we didn't take them. We only went in at half-time 1-0 up and it should have been 3-0.

"It was a fantastic performance. We were disappointed with certain aspects of defending.

"I'm extremely frustrated."


Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, Flood (David Robertson 83), Buaben, Gomis, Conway (Swanson 78), Feeney, Daly (Sandaza 63).
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Grainger, Kovacevic, Goodwillie.

Booked: Daly, Flood, Wilkie, Feeney.

Goals: Feeney 72 pen, Buaben 84, Feeney 86.

St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Potter, Cuthbert, Miranda, Murray, Dorman, McGinn (Hamilton 89), Brady (Robb 89), Dargo (Wyness 83), Mehmet.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Brighton, McAusland, Thomson.

Booked: Dargo, Miranda.

Goals: Ross 17, Mehmet 73 pen.

Att: 6,556

Ref: S O'Reilly


BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: St Mirren's Andy Dorman 9.00 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.



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see also
SPL photo gallery
24 Jan 09 |  Scottish Premier


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