St Johnstone 1-1 Dundee

David Wotherspoon (left) pulled Saints level

St Johnstone's run of five victories in a row was brought to a halt as Dundee took home a share of the points from McDiarmid Park.

Kane Hemmings fired the visitors ahead in the opening minutes after a delightful one-two with Greg Stewart.

Michael O'Halloran cut back for David Wotherspoon to stroke in an equaliser.

The second half could not live up to the first, with Saints missing out on the chance to go third in the Scottish Premiership.

While it brought an end to Saints winning run, it was Dundee's fifth 1-1 draw in six games and enough to lift them into the top half of the table.

The visitors almost took the lead in the opening minute when a mistake by Steven Anderson allowed Hemmings an early shot on target that was saved by Alan Mannus.

However, their strong start continued and within minutes Dundee were in front.

Hemmings and Stewart combined before the former Rangers and Cowdenbeath striker steadied himself and drove a low left-foot shot into the corner.

In was no less than Paul Hartley's side deserved, but the hosts slowly eased their way back into the match and drew level soon after.

Chris Kane did well to get to the byeline before cutting the ball back into the heart of the penalty box.

Waiting was Wotherspoon who hammered the ball home off the underside of the crossbar.

The weather deteriorated, with the sleet and snow making playing conditions tricky for both sets of players.

Murray Davidson came close to giving Saints the lead with a volley that flew just over the crossbar of Scott Bain.

Hemmings (right) fired Dundee in front in the opening minutes

Into the second half and chances were proving few and far between but Wotherspoon again came close after a searching run, but his effort drifted just wide of goal.

As the clock ticked towards 90 minutes Dundee pushed forward looking for a winner and Stewart fired in a shot from 20 yards that Mannus was able to collect at the second attempt.

There was lots of effort and commitment from both teams, but a point apiece on the night proved just about right.