Draw and late goal specialists Dundee United continued both habits against St Mirren by salvaging a point in Paisley in the 88th minute.
It was Saints’ turn to register a shot on target next. Paul McGowan hit a low 18-yarder but it was straight at Dusan Pernis.
But the Slovakian keeper was helpless on 38 minutes for the Paisley men’s opener. Jure Travner sent over a corner from the right which was met at the back post by McGregor. His header was directed back inside the near post. Morgaro Gomis got a boot to it but the ball was already over the line.
This spurred United into action and on 42 minutes a looping Goodwillie header from a Conway free-kick bounced off the top of the bar with Gallacher beaten.
The Tannadice side started the second period well and Goodwillie forced Gallacher to turn the ball round the post with a |glancing header from a Douglas cross.
From the resultant corner Kenneth claimed he was pulled back by Lee Mair as the ball flashed across the six-yard box but referee Craig Thomson waved away his appeal.
Saints nearly scored their second set-piece goal of the evening on 66 minutes. Steven Thomson’s corner broke to Marc McAusland on the penalty spot and his goal-bound volley was charged down by Kenneth.
Goodwillie had a contender for miss of the season on 73 minutes when he somehow scooped a Russell cross on to the bar from around four yards out.
Houston then made a double substitution, with Robertson and Danny Cadamarteri replacing Armstrong and Russell.
Cadamarteri got a sight of goal on 84 minutes, albeit from a tight angle, but he sliced the ball wide.
Count United out at your peril, though, as they conjured up an equaliser when Robertson got on the end of a Goodwillie cross to send a header over Gallacher.
There were three second-half bookings Saints’ Travner and Thomson, and Conway for United.
Attendance 3095.
St Mirren Gallacher, Mair, Potter, Thomson (Dargo 90), Higdon, Goodwin, McGregor, Travner, McAusland, McGowan, Cregg (Murray 81). Subs not used-Samson, Dargo, McQuade, McLean, Mooy, Lamont.
Dundee United Pernis, Dillon, Conway (Shala 86), Buaben, Gomis, Douglas, Kenneth, Watson, Goodwillie, Russell (Cadamarteri 74), Armstrong (David Robertson 74). Subs not used-Banks, Smith, Dow, Lee.
Referee Craig Thomson.
That’s now six times the Tannadice team have snatched a late draw in the SPL this season and, excluding penalty kicks at Ross County, eight stalemates out of their last nine matches.
This time substitute David Robertson was their hero with a header that cancelled out a Darren McGregor first-half goal.
United manager Peter Houston was frustrated that his team left it late yet again, but didn’t want that to disguise the fact it was the least their performance deserved.
“When you look at all the chances we created, I’m disappointed not to get all three points. In the second half we were battering them,” he said. “These draws have mostly been in away games and I can’t ask more of my players in terms of effort.
“I had five under-21 players in the team tonight and three on the bench. Hopefully we can start to get in front in games soon and I’m sure the wins will come.”
Houston was forced into making two changes from the side which drew at Kilmarnock on Saturday, with Garry Kenneth and Stuart Armstrong replacing suspended duo Jon Daly and Scott Robertson.
For 18-year-old Armstrong it was his first start for the club.
United were first to threaten in the fourth minute. After good work down the left, Craig Conway sent over a teasing cross that found its way to Johnny Russell at the back post. The angle was too acute to try a shot and Russell’s attempted cut-back was dealt with by the St Mirren defence.
Conway switched flanks briefly midway through the half and did well to hold the ball up despite the attention of several home defenders. He only had Goodwillie to aim for with his cross, though, and as the striker attempted to get on the end of it he was booked for his challenge on marker McGregor
Just a minute later United gave Saints keeper Paul Gallacher his first real test. Barry Douglas fired over a low cross from the left, which Russell killed with his first touch before working himself space for a well-struck shot which the former Tannadice stopper saved with his legs.