DUFC

ST MIRREN 1 - 2 DUNDEE UNITED

13th February 2010

A dramatic late comeback at St Mirren Park saw United come from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory with goals in the final minutes from Danny Swanson and David Goodwillie.

The Buddies hadn't beaten United in Paisley since April 2001, but that record looked to be broken after Michael Higdon's looping header gave the home side the lead on 66 minutes.

However Danny Swanson's low drive from outside the box drew United level with seven minutes to go, and deep into injury time the visiting fans went wild as David Goodwillie volleyed home from close range.

There was little in terms of goalmouth action in the opening forty-five. Prince Buaben's last SPL goal came over a year ago, in the 3-2 win over St Mirren in January 2009 and Ghanaian midfielder came close to breaking the deadlock with a quarter of an hour on the clock when he tried his luck from 20 yards, only to see his effort zip wide of the post.

The home side threatened next, as Andy Dorman found himself through on goal after a defensive mishap by United. But Pernis saved well from inside the box.

United looked to have taken the lead on the half hour mark when Jon Daly headed goalwards. But Jack Ross was on hand to punt the ball off the goal-line.

Saints striker Billy Mehmet hasn't found the net in the SPL since mid-October, and that drought continued on 35 minutes after former United man Steven Robb beat Pavels Mihadjuks to tee up the 26-year-old Londoner. But Mehmet couldn't notch up his 12th goal in all competitions this year as he drove into the side netting.

The home side did, however, make the most of their next real chance, and Steven Robb was again the provider. His free-kick found Higdon at the edge of the box and his header looped into the corner of the net.

United looked to be heading for a second defeat in four days, but a late surge saw them close the gap on third placed Hibernian to just a single point.

With little over ten minutes remaining Jon Daly thought he had equalised after nodding home Danny Swanson's cross. But the goal was chalked off as the big Irishman was adjudged to have fouled the Saints defender.

Swanson did score four minutes later, and it looked as though for the second time this season it would end all square between the sides in Paisley. But with momentum behind them, United continued to press for the winner.

Darren Dods came close in the dying stages, but his header was scrambled clear desperately by the Saints defence.

The only time this season United have come from behind to take all three points was the 2-1 triumph over Celtic at Tannadice. And when Goodwillie latched on to Daly's cross with seconds to go and drilled the ball home, the celebrations from United fans were every bit as euphoric as that day back in November.

Click here for the full report by Craig MacLagan.