Louis Moult scores overhead kick against St MirrenSNS

Substitute Louis Moult's stunning bicycle kick was the difference in Paisley

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Louis Moult's outrageous 88th-minute overhead kick strengthened Dundee United's hold on third place in the Scottish Premiership as they edged out wasteful St Mirren in Paisley.

In a chaotic finale, United goalkeeper Jack Walton denied St Mirren an equaliser with a stoppage-time save from Toyosi Olusanya's penalty after the striker had been tripped by Kevin Holt.

That missed opportunity told the story of the afternoon for the hosts, who had the better chances but lacked the killer touch of Moult, whose sensational acrobatic effort snatched a vital three points for Jim Goodwin's side.

Stephen Robinson will rue his team's profligacy after they missed a number of clear-cut chances, with Richard Taylor seeing an early header cleared off the line by Luca Stephenson and Mikael Mandron smashing the underside of the bar.

Substitute Olusanya then failed to beat Walton when clean through before the United goalkeeper dived to his left to deny the St Mirren striker from the spot just four minutes after Moult's magic.

The defeat is a fourth on the bounce for the Paisley side, who have also failed to score in their last three games and now drop out of the top six.

United, meanwhile, end a run of two losses by moving four points clear in third having played two games more than fourth-placed Aberdeen.

Moult & Walton the United heroes

United were crying out for inspiration when Moult, making his first appearance in a month after a spell out injured, was brought on for Glenn Middleton on the hour.

And, boy, did the striker deliver it. The former Motherwell forward's remarkable winner came just moments after his point-blank header was saved superbly by Zach Hemming.

Goodwin's men were fortunate to be level at the break, but they suffered without conceding. This was not a smash-and-grab job, though.

United improved massively after the interval, Vicko Sevelj having a back-post finish disallowed for offside before Middleton's deflected strike hit the bar.

Holt and Sam Dalby were also denied as the game became frantic in the closing stages, epitomised by an incredible finale that saw Moult and Walton make themselves the heroes.

Buddies continue to fire blanks

Four defeats in a row, three of which St Mirren have failed to score in.

Since a fine Boxing Day win over Rangers, it has been a tough couple of weeks for Robinson and his players.

Their misfortunate in this one comes from a lack of cutting edge, failing to score with an expected goals rating of 2.19.

As well as the gilt-edged chances for Olusanya and Mandron, Killian Phillips' first-half header was also denied by the impressive Walton before Elvis Bwomono slipped at the back post while aiming to strike at goal.

The 17 shots St Mirren registered is much higher than their season average of 11, and Robinson must ensure this does not become a trend that can derail their season.

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