Dev League: St Johnstone 3 United 2

Saints survived a second half fight back to edge out Dundee United by the odd goal in five at McDiarmid Park this afternoon. By Peter Rundo With five first teamers in their squad the Tangerines started brightly, Jordan Garden knocking in Lewis Toshney’s low cross for an eighth minute opener. From that bright beginning the Tannadice side dramatically fell out of the game as Saints asserted themselves to score three first half goals. Paul Simpson sent in a lofted free-kick that deceived everyone before bouncing into the net for the equaliser after half an hour. Four minutes later poor defending left Greg Hurst with the easiest of chances to put the Perth side ahead. And with a minute of the half left, Hurst added the third from a penalty. With Jordan Hornby on for Frank van der Struijk, United made several positional changes which had the desired effect as they fought their way back into the match. And they reduced the leeway on 65 minutes when Scott Allardice drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. With ten minutes left Hornby missed a great opportunity to level when he failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy. St Johnstone: B McKenzie, Lumsden, McCann, Wilson (Brian 55), Kerr, Comrie, McLaren, Jardine, Hurst, Docherty (Hamilton 78), Simpson (J McKenzie 70). Subs not used: Sinclair, Donald, Wooley, Johnson. Dundee United: Long, Toshney, Robson, Allardice, C Donaldson, van der Struijk (Hornby 46), Spittal, Kuate, Garden (Taylor 69), Mcmeekin (Chalmers 69), B Smith. Subs not used: J Donaldson. Reekie, Dailly, Davie, Appere