St Mirren's seven match unbeaten run in the league came to an end as Dundee United snatched a last gasp win at Tannadice.
Goals from Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd pulled Saints level on two occasions after United had taken the lead through Thomas Mikkelsen and Tony Andreu. Blair Spittal fired home from the edge of the box in the final minute to give the hosts all three points.
The Tangerines took the lead early on in controversial circumstances when Mikkelsen fired home with just seven minutes on the clock. Andreu flicked the ball over the top searching for the Danish striker who caught Gary MacKenzie with a high boot before running through and slamming the ball into the back of the net. The Saints players and supporters were furious that official Craig Charleston allowed the goal to stand after what looked like a clear foul. And despite being on the receiving end of the foul, MacKenzie ended up in the referee's book for his protests.
Saints grew into the game and were almost level when Stevie Mallan curled a free kick just by Cammy Bell's left hand post.
St Mirren deservedly equalised with a little over five minutes to go in what was a quiet first half. It felt like justice was served as MacKenzie was the one to get the Buddies back on level terms. Lewis Morgan was halved on the right hand side by Jamie Robson who went into the book for the challenge. Mallan went across to whip the ball into the middle where it met the head of MacKenzie who pulled away from his marker to power home.
Half Time: Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren
The hosts had a glorious opportunity to retake the lead in the second half when Simon Murray hit the woodwork. A Saints corner was cleared to the half way line where Gary Irvine was penalised for bringing down a United player. The free kick was played quickly to Murray on the edge of the box who smashed it off the bar. The ball then fell invitingly for Mikkelesen whose first touch was poor allowing Billy O'Brien to smother.
They did go back in front when the referee awarded United an indirect free kick in the box. A loose ball played into the Saints box from 40 yards out was gathered by O'Brien who was under pressure by Murray. The referee adjudged it to be a pass-back from Stephen McGinn and despite some disagreement with the decision in the press box, it proved to be the correct call. Spittal rolled the ball to Frenchman Andreu who blasted it low into the net to restore the home side's advantage, scoring his fifth goal against the Buddies this season.
Saints almost made it 2-2 soon after with Mallan forcing Bell to push a free kick wide. The 21 year-old got it up and over the wall but the goalkeeper did well as he got both hands to it to force it away from goal. MacKenzie went close to getting his second from the resultant corner as he rose above the United defence again sending a header just over.
Josh Todd was brought as a late substitute for the Buddies and his introduction had the desired affect when he scored his first St Mirren goal to square the game. McGinn was on the end of a loose ball in the box and crashed a shot goalward. It took a deflection and landed at the feet of Todd who showed great composure to open up room in the box before firing it high into the United net.
It looked like St Mirren were going to take what would have been a deserved point but there was late heartbreak as Spittal scored in the dying embers of the match. Mikkelsen found the midfielder on the edge of the box and he struck it low beyond O'Brien into the net to seal three points for the home side.
Full Time: Dundee Utd 3-2 St Mirren
St Mirren: O'Brien, Irvine (Stelios 77), Baird, MacKenzie, Eckersley, Magennis, Mallan, McGinn, Morgan, Smith (Sutton 69), Loy (Todd 79)
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Webster, Quinn, Storie, Stelios, Todd, Sutton
Dundee Utd: Bell, Robson, Durnan, Edjenguele, Allardice (Kuate 45), Murdoch, Flood, Spittal (Donaldson 90+2), Murray, Andreu, Mikkelsen
Subs Not Used: Zwick, Dixon, Coote, Telfer, Nicholls
Referee: Craig Charleston
Assistant Referee: Graeme Stewart
Assistant Referee: Garry Farmer
Attendance: 6,225
