Highlights - St Johnstone 0-1 Dundee Utd

By Keir Murray

Jon Daly's 11th goal of the season won the Tayside derby for Dundee United and kept intact their hopes of finishing second in the Scottish Premier League.

St Johnstone's Liam Craig had an early long-range blast saved by Dusan Pernis and, dramatically, the Slovak also kept out his poor 69th-minute penalty.

Cillian Sheridan, Jody Morris and Michael Duberry each wasted chances to put seventh-placed Saints ahead.

But the only goal came seven minutes from time from Daly's fine header.

Almost from the off Sheridan got himself into an advanced position on the left, similar to last week when he scored a dipping volley across goal against Rangers. This time, however, he hit his shot wide of the near post.

Stevie Anderson was fortunate not to be booked when he scythed Danny Swanson as he rampaged into United territory on a strong run from his own half.

This was one of few early United forays, for most of the play flowed in the direction of Pernis in the visitors' goal, who was forced into a save when Craig arrowed a cracking left-foot drive in the ninth minute from 30 yards that was heading straight into the top corner.

For all St Johnstone's pressure in the opening quarter of an hour, United had the first clear chance.

Anderson conceded the free-kick once more and Paul Dixon's ball into the box was met by Andy Webster whose first shot rebounded off Dave MacKay and his second thundered straight at Graeme Smith, who, sensibly, thought it best to parry.

Morris, enjoying a fine campaign with Saints, had a splendid chance to add to his modest tally of three goals this season when the ball broke to him at the edge of the box, but his snatched shot went wide of Pernis's right-hand post.

And the Irishman Sheridan had the next opportunity when a cross from the left evaded everyone else and landed at his left foot.

Daly is congratulated on his late winning goal

However, his shot 10 yards from the back post was no better than an embarrassing sclaff.

The score was 0-0 when the first half came to a conclusion, indicative of the defensive performances of Saints' Duberry and Steven Anderson and United's Webster and Garry Kenneth, and the way the teams, both playing 4-4-2, had cancelled one another out.

Dixon, back from suspension, got United off to a lively start to the second half when he curled a low cross from deep into the box, but Daly could not stretch enough to bring it under control.

Webster signalled to the bench to be replaced, and Darren Dods duly obliged at centre-half, and the Terrors' defence had no time to organise themselves when Filipe Morais fired in a cross.

Pernis was at full stretch to knock the ball away from goal but only as far as Duberry, who ballooned his shot over the bar from 12 yards.

With 23 minutes remaining, Saints manager Derek McInnes and his Tannadice counterpart Peter Houston each made a substitution of a striker.

Saints put on Collin Samuel for Sheridan, while United's Danny Cadamarteri came on for his first appearance since January, replacing David Goodwillie.

The Perth Saints had a glorious chance to go into the lead when they were awarded a penalty for Dixon's foul on Dave MacKay as he ran into the box.

Referee Steve Conroy delayed Craig, asking him to re-spot the ball, and the former Falkirk midfielder sent a weak effort too close to Pernis, who nevertheless got down well to keep the match goalless.

That summed up the standard of finishing for the few chances that were on offer, and most in the ground would have thought the game was bound to end without a goal.

However, with seven minutes to go, Craig made a half-hearted challenge on Morgaro Gomis in the left-back position and the United midfielder's perfect cross was expertly nodded home by Daly to seal a win that keeps their hopes of catching second-placed Celtic alive.

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