St Mirren's search for a win on the road continues after a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice.
Saints were architects of their own downfall after a Marcus Fraser own-goal and penalty for handball were enough for United to claim the points.
The home side took the lead with just nine minutes played. Vicko Sevelj's strike was well saved by Shamal George after the Saints stopper got two strong hands behind it. The ball bounced in the area where Marcus Fraser unfortunately got it wrong as he headed into his own net.
Captain Mark O'Hara passed up a huge opportunity to draw us level a little over five minutes before the break. Fraser's deep cross from the right found the skipper whose excellent touch opened up the chance. But he slashed his strike wide of target.
Manager Stephen Robinson introduced Jake Young in place of Idowu at the break. The striker's impact was immediately felt as he drew Saints level on 47 minutes with his first goal for the Buddies. A wide free-kick from Tanser bounced in the box before falling to Young who beautifully guided it into the far corner to equalise.
United looked to respond quickly and almost did so on 50 minutes when their captain Ross Graham headed a corner just wide of target.
Neither side was able to take control in the contest on what was a difficult surface at Tannadice. Saints came close to taking the lead on 66 minutes when Killian Phillips rose highest to meet a header but saw his effort come off the post before the home side could clear. Amar Fatah should have put United back in front two minutes after with a header of his own. He was found unmarked inside the box but he nodded well wide.
Both sides continued to push heading into the final 15 minutes with an O'Hara corner causing mayhem in the United box. The ball bobbled around with Gogic the closest to finding the target, but he couldn't force through a ruck of bodies before the danger was eventually dealt with by the hosts.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, United were awarded a penalty for a Gogic handball. The Cypriot looked to have been claiming for an offside as the ball came into the box and it struck his out-stretched arm. A lengthy VAR check ensued with questions over offside, but nothing was doing and the penalty was given. Fatah struck high into the net to seal the points on another disappointing away day for the Saints.
Full-Time: Dundee United 2-1 St Mirren
St Mirren: George, Fraser, Gogic, Freckleton, Richardson (King 84), Phillips, Baccus, O'Hara (c) (Calvin 84), Tanser (John 65), Idowu (Young 46), Nlundulu (Etete 90)
Subs: Mullen, Donnelly, Campbell, Devaney
Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer, Iovu, Sevelj, Graham (c), Stephenson, Camara (Trapanovski 84), Agyei, Kerestzes, Fatah (Russell 84), Watters (Sapsford 69), Farrugia (Ferry 75)
Subs: Richards, Eskesen, Dolcek, Naamo, Cleall-Harding
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
AR1: Chris Rae
AR2: Ross Nelson
Fourth Official: George Calder
VAR: John Beaton
