Dundee 0-1 St Johnstone: Melamed on target as Adam has penalty saved

A Guy Melamed goal settled a tense Tayside derby at Dens Park as St Johnstone moved into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

The striker tucked away a 20th-minute shot, having been set up by Stevie May.

With 15 minutes remaining, Zander Clark kept out a penalty from Dundee captain Charlie Adam, pushing it on to a post and gathering the rebound.

Dundee also went close when Paul McMullen clipped the crossbar with a powerful long-range strike.

• Scottish Cup reaction & as it happened

Shooting from distance was an early feature for the Scottish Championship hosts, with Adam and Declan McDaid threatening.

The breakthrough came when Liam Fontaine misjudged a Jason Kerr long ball and May scurried forward with time to pick out Melamed, who picked his spot with a composed finish.

Melamed was a lively presence in the first 45 minutes, heading wide and denied by a good Adam Legzdins stop as he tried to round the home keeper.

Early in the second half, Dundee manager James McPake was booked for his protests when Danny Mullen's close-range finish was ruled out, although it was not clear if the decision was for offside or a foul on Clark.

The goalkeeper was involved again as he flattened Mullen when charging out to the edge of his area.

Adam had a long wait to take the spot-kick as his team-mate was attended to and his effort was touched on to the post, with Clark relieved when the rebound flew back into his arms.

With Dundee, now without a goal in five consecutive defeats to Saints, chasing the game, League Cup winners St Johnstone had a good late chance to extend their lead but substitute Glenn Middleton dragged a shot narrowly wide.