Substitute Louis Moult scored a stunning late overhead kick before Jack Walton saved a penalty for St Mirren as Dundee United left Paisley with a 1-0 win.
The game heated up after a monotonous first half with United having a goal ruled out for offside and both sides hitting the box.
Both teams had second chances but the goalkeepers were in fine form until Moult regained his fitness, replacing Glenn Middleton just after the hour mark for his first action in a month, which struck with two minutes remaining in regulation time.
Saints substitute Toyosi Olusanya then won and converted a penalty in the third of six added minutes, but Walton saved to give Jim Goodwin’s side the three points and United’s fourth straight win over Stephen Robinson’s men this season – the Buddies have now lost four in a row.
In a bid to get back to winning ways in front of their home fans, Robinson made three changes with the return of defender Alex Iacovitti, midfielder Rolando Idowu and forward Mike Mandron.
Goodwin, who returned to his former club, made five changes with Kevin Holt, Ross Docherty, Ryan Strain, Luc Stephenson and top scorer Sam Dalby returning.
The home team enjoyed most of the early pressure, which soon turned into a physical confrontation.
A well placed Stephenson headed Buddies defender Richard Taylor off the line in the fourth minute following Scott Tanser’s corner.
Then, when United showed a threat of their own, Paisley keeper Zach Hemming did well to keep out Holt’s powerful long-range shot.
There were lively duels all over the field, and referee David Dickinson used his whistle well, at times irritating the fans.
Neither side kept the ball for long, but in the 33rd minute Greg Kiltie’s powerful drive from United’s penalty area was saved by Walton, who made a great save from Killian Phillips’ header just before the break.
United’s Vicko Ševelj had the ball in the net from close range two minutes from time, but the offside flag was raised and VAR confirmed Tayside’s disappointment.
On 56 minutes, St Mirren striker Mandron hit the crossbar before United’s short break saw Middleton curl the ball over Paisley’s bar, United’s ball soon making way for Moult.
With United pressing, Hemming made a brave save from Holt from close range and then produced another good block to thwart Dalby, who ran away from the Buddies defence.
Olusanya broke free from the United defense in the 78th minute but shot straight at Walton and at the other end moments later there was a VAR review for a penalty when Hemming challenged Dalby but the foul was not called.
St Mirren survived a frantic scramble and corner when Moult’s header was blocked by Hemming, but the visitors continued to press and as the ball bounced around the box, Moult produced a sensational overhead kick to put United ahead.
However, there was more drama in added time when Olusanya tripped Holt inside the penalty area.
The striker picked himself up and took a shot but Walton saved to give the three points back to Tayside.
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