Any confidence St Mirren gained in their impressive 2-0 win at home to Kilmarnock last weekend was certainly brought to Tannadice in the first half.
In the first 45 St Mirren were completely dominant. Their mix of good work rate and well arranged tactics proved United's creative midfielder's were unable to create any clear cut chances throughout the half.
The first goal of the match came after 20 minutes when St Mirren had a free kick on the left and was whipped into the box. No United player picked up Paul McGowan who back headed it past the observing goalkeeper Rado Ciersniak.
By this time St Mirren were completely dominant and every time the likes of Gauld, Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci were on the ball they were pressurised immensely by the Saints players causing the saints to win back possession of the ball.
At 40 minutes Gavin Gunning tried to clear a well placed John McGinn cross, Gunnings clearence was only fired at Steven Thompson who scored his 14th of the season in pretty easy Circumstance's.
At half time the buddies looked as if they would collect all 3 points if they continued pressurising the United players in the manner they had been doing. They had the fans and players doubting themselves.
As soon as Dundee United kicked off they looked a different team. With Ciftci and Mackay-Steven swapping wings to their preferred side.
In the first few minutes of the second half Mackay-Steven fed Ciftci who rounded the keeper but ran the ball out for a goal kick. A sign of things to come?.
A few minutes later Mackay-Steven hit a brilliant half volley from 25 yards that Kello managed to slap over for a corner.
As the second half continued St Mirren were beginning to dominate in the midfield and defensively again. It was beginning to look tough for United to get any points out out of this game.
At 60 minutes the struggling Ryan Gauld and Farid El-Alagui were brought off for Ryan Dow and Stuart Armstrong. Both Armstrong and Dow were unlucky to be dropped for this game. Brian Graham was brought on at 71 minutes for the defensive minded Paul Paton as United tried to get back into the game.
Jackie McNamara's substitutions were proven to be good decisions when Ryan Dow accurately crossed into Brian Graham who fired home from close range. 79 minutes. St Mirren 2-1 up.
For the next 4 minutes the Tangerines were rampant and when McAusland failed to properly clear Mackay-Steven's dangerous cross it fell to Armstrong outside the box who side footed it into the corner of the net. United fans went ex tactic realizing they had earned themselves a point.
For the remaining few minutes of the match both teams piled forward looking for what would be a winner.
Deep into stoppage time St Mirren had a free-kick in the United half in which right back Josh Magennis took about 20 seconds to take. Magennis looked content with just the point, but his time waisting would come to cost. When the free-kick was eventually taken it met the head of Gavin Gunning which led to a quick United break which found super sub Ryan Dow charging into the box. Dow hit the shot in which goalkeeper Kello saved but to only be spilt into the feet of Nadir Ciftci who struck it into the back of an empty net from a tight angle. The whistle blew soon after and United had won in the most dramatic circumstances.
At half time it looked unlikely that Dundee United would get a draw they somehow came away with all 3 points in what was an entertaining game. Especially for those in the Eddie Thompson stand who saw all 5 goals in their goal.
Player Ratings
Cierzniak- 7. Some nervy moments in first half and poor kicking but confidence should be back.
Robertson-7.5. Lost his form from earlier on in season but still great work rate and brilliant at bringing others into play.
Gunning- 7.5. Good in air against Thompson and defensively strong.
Souttar- 7. Few midfield splitting passes but occasionally too casual on the ball.
Watson-7. Strong defensively and a few good crosses.
Paton-7. Not best match on ball but worked hard.
Rankin-7.5. Was bullied in first half but better second. Should be the captain for United as his passion really shows when playing.
GMS- 8. Struggled in first half but played much better on the left.
Gauld-7. pushed off ball a few times and poor first touch. Chased balls down well though.
Ciftci-8. like many, struggled in first half but as second went on got better. Good composure for winner as well.
El-Alagui-6.5. lost ball too many times.
Dow-8. Great impact off bench.
Armstrong-8. United missed him in this game came on and did very well.
Graham-7. Took goal well and chased balls well for time he was on.
By Joseph James.
follow on twitter- josephjamesy00
In the first 45 St Mirren were completely dominant. Their mix of good work rate and well arranged tactics proved United's creative midfielder's were unable to create any clear cut chances throughout the half.
The first goal of the match came after 20 minutes when St Mirren had a free kick on the left and was whipped into the box. No United player picked up Paul McGowan who back headed it past the observing goalkeeper Rado Ciersniak.
By this time St Mirren were completely dominant and every time the likes of Gauld, Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci were on the ball they were pressurised immensely by the Saints players causing the saints to win back possession of the ball.
At 40 minutes Gavin Gunning tried to clear a well placed John McGinn cross, Gunnings clearence was only fired at Steven Thompson who scored his 14th of the season in pretty easy Circumstance's.
At half time the buddies looked as if they would collect all 3 points if they continued pressurising the United players in the manner they had been doing. They had the fans and players doubting themselves.
As soon as Dundee United kicked off they looked a different team. With Ciftci and Mackay-Steven swapping wings to their preferred side.
In the first few minutes of the second half Mackay-Steven fed Ciftci who rounded the keeper but ran the ball out for a goal kick. A sign of things to come?.
A few minutes later Mackay-Steven hit a brilliant half volley from 25 yards that Kello managed to slap over for a corner.
As the second half continued St Mirren were beginning to dominate in the midfield and defensively again. It was beginning to look tough for United to get any points out out of this game.
At 60 minutes the struggling Ryan Gauld and Farid El-Alagui were brought off for Ryan Dow and Stuart Armstrong. Both Armstrong and Dow were unlucky to be dropped for this game. Brian Graham was brought on at 71 minutes for the defensive minded Paul Paton as United tried to get back into the game.
Jackie McNamara's substitutions were proven to be good decisions when Ryan Dow accurately crossed into Brian Graham who fired home from close range. 79 minutes. St Mirren 2-1 up.
For the next 4 minutes the Tangerines were rampant and when McAusland failed to properly clear Mackay-Steven's dangerous cross it fell to Armstrong outside the box who side footed it into the corner of the net. United fans went ex tactic realizing they had earned themselves a point.
For the remaining few minutes of the match both teams piled forward looking for what would be a winner.
Deep into stoppage time St Mirren had a free-kick in the United half in which right back Josh Magennis took about 20 seconds to take. Magennis looked content with just the point, but his time waisting would come to cost. When the free-kick was eventually taken it met the head of Gavin Gunning which led to a quick United break which found super sub Ryan Dow charging into the box. Dow hit the shot in which goalkeeper Kello saved but to only be spilt into the feet of Nadir Ciftci who struck it into the back of an empty net from a tight angle. The whistle blew soon after and United had won in the most dramatic circumstances.
At half time it looked unlikely that Dundee United would get a draw they somehow came away with all 3 points in what was an entertaining game. Especially for those in the Eddie Thompson stand who saw all 5 goals in their goal.
Player Ratings
Cierzniak- 7. Some nervy moments in first half and poor kicking but confidence should be back.
Robertson-7.5. Lost his form from earlier on in season but still great work rate and brilliant at bringing others into play.
Gunning- 7.5. Good in air against Thompson and defensively strong.
Souttar- 7. Few midfield splitting passes but occasionally too casual on the ball.
Watson-7. Strong defensively and a few good crosses.
Paton-7. Not best match on ball but worked hard.
Rankin-7.5. Was bullied in first half but better second. Should be the captain for United as his passion really shows when playing.
GMS- 8. Struggled in first half but played much better on the left.
Gauld-7. pushed off ball a few times and poor first touch. Chased balls down well though.
Ciftci-8. like many, struggled in first half but as second went on got better. Good composure for winner as well.
El-Alagui-6.5. lost ball too many times.
Dow-8. Great impact off bench.
Armstrong-8. United missed him in this game came on and did very well.
Graham-7. Took goal well and chased balls well for time he was on.
By Joseph James.
follow on twitter- josephjamesy00