Dundee United's Glenn Middleton celebrates scoring to make it 1-1 during a William Hill Premiership match between St Johnstone and Dundee United at McDiarmid Park,SNS

Glenn Middleton's terrific equaliser sparked Dundee United's comeback

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at McDiarmid Park

Manager Jim Goodwin says Dundee United are relishing the opportunity to put pressure on third-place Aberdeen after coming from behind to beat St Johnstone and narrow the gap on their next opponents to six points.

United were looking to build on a creditable point against Celtic at McDiarmid Park, but trailed to Makenzie Kirk's well-taken goal one minute before the break.

However, a terrific effort from Glenn Middleton levelled the game six minutes into the second half, before the league's top scorer Sam Dalby headed them in front on the hour mark.

United were largely untroubled after hitting the front, with even Declan Gallagher's red card on 87 minutes for a forceful challenge on Aaron Essel not enough to prevent them moving up to fourth on the back of one defeat in eight games.

"We're delighted with the position in the table," Goodwin told BBC Scotland.

"Aberdeen had a brilliant start and opened up a a significant gap but, slowly but surely the teams below have been chipping away.

"We've got the opportunity to close it further in a few days. If we can get a similar level of performance to what we showed here, we're capable of winning that one."

St Johnstone knew victory would lift them off bottom spot but they are now two points adrift of Hearts having played half of their league fixtures.

Kirk's angled shot after a neat turn capped a bright first half for the hosts, but they could not build on it in the second half as Goodwin's half-time message paid off.

Middleton cut in from the left and fired a right-footed effort low in off a post past Josh Rae, who appeared slightly slow to get down to try to make the stop.

Then Vicko Sevelj put in an excellent delivery for Dalby, who did not pass up the gift as he rose to power home and bolster his place at the top of the scoring charts with nine this season.

After Gallagher's sending off, Jack Sanders was closest to an equaliser for St Johnstone but his powerful header was tipped over as the home side suffered a third-straight defeat by a single goal.

St Johnstone fail to capitalise

Simo Valakari conceded pre-match that his side needed a result given their position at the bottom of the Premiership.

They looked good at the break but were ripped apart in the first 15 minutes after the restart and now face a daunting trip to play leaders Celtic next.

They showed in patches that they can play good football and created some decent opportunities. And in Kirk, they have a young player who is a threat and can make it count with five league goals to his name.

However, right now, things are not coming together to deliver a full 90-minute performance and it is costing them dearly with just one win in their last eight.

Goodwin's side force to be reckoned with

The table makes fabulous reading for United.

Just short of halfway through the campaign, they are now up to fourth place and only six points adrift of an Aberdeen side who were out of sight early this season.

Most assumed the Dons would comfortably have third place secured given where they were but, with the sides facing each other at Tannadice on Sunday, everything seems up for grabs and United are very much on the march.

They have shown a number of qualities since their Premiership return and required many of them here after falling behind. Their response was emphatic and the travelling support loved it.

Goodwin spoke of trying to provide service from wide areas to Dalby and the one time it happened, he did the rest with a convincing header. He is proving to be a great addition in a squad that is delivering.

One defeat in eight league games is a very strong outcome with the only blemish Gallagher's late ordering off, which means he will miss the next two games.

What they said

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I thought we were really unfortunate to go in behind at half-time. I thought we were the better team throughout the game.

"We had to press aggressively at the top end of the pitch and force them into errors. I thought the work rate of the front three was excellent.

"There weren't many chances until the goal. But it was great character from the group. A lot of teams would feel sorry for themselves but my players again showed their grit and determination."

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "It's a big disappointment. In key moments, we are not doing well enough. We don't defend when we should, and when you are bottom of the league you feel a bit of fear.

"But it's up to us, we need to fight our way through it. It's easy to say to the players to be confident but it doesn't work that way.

"We just need to keep going and do the simple things, and focus on every moment. Then you can start getting your confidence."

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