A first half goal from Ryan Dow was enough for ten-man Dundee United to beat St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park to boost their battle for Premiership survival.
The Tangerines’ first win in Perth for four years and a draw between Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock at Firhill means the gap at the bottom is now just five points.
United almost got off to the perfect start when their first attack saw Dow find John Rankin right in front of goal, but his ten yard shot was blocked.
Eighteen minutes in they went close again when Coll Donaldson got his head to a Paul Paton free-kick, only to be denied by a superb Alan Mannus save.
A goal looked to be coming and it did in the 22nd minute. Billy Mckay cut the ball back for Dow seven yards out and though Mannus got to his shot he couldn’t prevent the ball creeping over the line.
Right on the break Saints almost grabbed an equaliser when Joe Shaughnessy’s header was blocked just short of the line by Paton.
The home side stepped up a gear in the second half and their cause was helped in the 60th minute when Donaldson was red carded for a challenge on Chris Kane as the Saint tried to break clear.
After that it was backs to the wall for the Tangerines as they battled to hang on for a vital three points.
St Johnstone almost levelled when Murray Davidson struck the bar with a shot from 12 yards, but United’s defence held firm.
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