A second-half penalty from St Johnstone striker Brian Graham denied Dundee their fourth straight Premiership win in this hard-fought Tayside derby at Dens Park.
The on-loan Dundee United hitman struck after 53 minutes to give Tommy Wright’s men a 1-1 draw after David Clarkson had put the hosts ahead with yet another goal just before half-time.
Paul Hartley’s Dundee were by far the better team in the first half when Clarkson netted his sixth goal in as many games and although Saints were transformed after the break neither side could force a late winner despite their best efforts.
There was controversy as early as the sixth minute when St Johnstone midfielder Gary McDonald’s header back allowed Clarkson to run clean through and attempt to round visiting goalkeeper Alan Mannus.
Mannus appeared to bring Clarkson down but referee Bobby Madden instead showed the Dundee striker a yellow card for diving.
The home side threatened again in the ninth minute when Clarkson unleashed a 25-yard shot which went narrowly wide.
Dundee were on top and they came close again to making the breakthrough after 17 minutes.
Martin Boyle’s cross from the right was met by Gary Harkins, whose volley looked bound for the net until Mannus dived full length to his left to turn it round the post.
A few minutes later, it was Dundee again who put together another promising attack.
Defender James McPake released Boyle who went on a run before finishing with a left-foot shot which Mannus gathered comfortably.
Shortly after, Clarkson found himself right through after McDonald had been short with a pass-back, but Mannus came off his line to pull off a one-handed save.
However, Clarkson got his reward in the 40th minute.
The former Motherwell man started the move as he fed Paul McGowan, who then released Boyle.
Boyle’s pass found Greg Stewart and he cut the ball back for Clarkson to tap the ball home from close-range.
The second half started with St Johnstone pair Simon Lappin and David Wotherspoon coming on for McDonald and Liam Caddis.
Saints had to play better than they did in the first half and within minutes of the restart they created a decent opportunity.
Lee Croft played a one-two with Fraser Wright which cut open the Dundee defence.
Croft accepted the return pass only to see his powerful shot from 12 yards parried away by home keeper Scott Bain, who then found his net breached in the 53rd minute.
McPake was judged to have pulled Graham’s jersey as the pair contested a ball into the box from Wotherspoon.
And up stepped Graham to drive home the resultant spot-kick past Bain.
That gave Saints a big lift and Graham tried for a second goal with a drilled shot from distance which Bain held well.
Dundee had a chance after 77 minutes when Stewart ran onto a long ball but his shot was tipped over the bar by Mannus.
With five minutes left, Dundee’s Jim McAlister had a chance to win it but shot right at Mannus from 10 yards.