Dundee United 1-1 St Mirren: Stephen Fletcher scores but St Mirren strike back to earn a point at Tannadice

Dundee United and St Mirren should have picked up a share of the spoils after a narrow 1-1 draw with Tannadice.

The hosts took an early lead through striker Stephen Fletcher, but St Mirren equalized after the break thanks to a penalty from Mark O’Hara.

United hit the woodwork in injury time but were unable to find a winner.

The result left Tangerines bottom of the table but they are now two points behind Ross County while St Mirren have dropped to seventh.

United got off to a great start, opening the scoring just in the third minute when Fletcher tapped in a header from St Mirren defender Richard Taylor, before slotting the ball into the net from the edge of the penalty area, past Paddys goalkeeper Trevor Carson.

The hosts’ tails were up and Aziz Behesh tried his luck with a daring 25-yard strike that went wide of Carson’s left post.

St Mirren were struggling to recover from a goal down very early on, and failed to put pressure on the team’s goal.

That finally changed in the 24th minute when Curtis Mayne found a place for himself in the penalty area, but his shot went straight in the direction of goalkeeper Mark Perighetti who made an easy save.

This kept the pressure on the Friends, but they were unable to create any clear chances.

Instead, it was the hosts who had a chance when Jimmy McGrath curled in a corner from the right and the ball fell for Fletcher, but the former Scotland striker could only send his shot from close range over the bar.

Friends were the first to threaten after the break in the 56th minute when Greg Keltie crossed in from the right to the onrushing O’Hara but St Mirren’s shot was parried off the post by Ryan Edwards.

St Mirren had the ball into the net shortly after but Taylor’s header was ruled out for offside, a decision confirmed by the VAR.

St Mirren, however, equalized in the 74th minute. Mayne went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Loic Aina as referee Craig Napier signaled for the penalty and O’Hara stepped up to hit the penalty straight into the middle of the goal with Birighetti.

The hosts had a great chance to take the lead again immediately after but Behesh blasted at the back post.

In injury time substitute Kai Fotheringham had a chance for glory, but his effort hit the post for United and then had another great chance when Matthew Kodjo’s shot was saved by Carson and Elmari Niskanen slammed the rebound into the stands.

What then?

Dundee United Return to the Scottish Premier League after the international break notice On April 1st.

St. Mirren at home to Livingston in the same day. Both matches begin at 3 p.m.