Dundee United 1 St Mirren 2

Dundee United slipped to their third home defeat of the season with a very disappointing performance as bottom-of-the-table St Mirren came away with the points at Tannadice.

Michael Higdon struck twice for the visitors before Prince Buaben offered their opponents late hope from a free-kick with only four minutes remaining.

The Buddies could have taken the lead when Gareth Wardlaw nodded a Jure Travner cross into the side-netting before Higdon also directed a header over.

Scott Robertson whistled a 25-yard drive over in reply before the visitors opened the scoring when Higdon took advantage of a Sean Dillon slip and tucked his finish into the corner.

Sean Lynch soon headed over from Paul McGowan's free-kick before in-form Arabs striker David Goodwillie headed at goalkeeper Craig Samson at the opposite end.

But it was the visitors extending their lead midway through the second-half when Garry Kenneth misjudged McGowan's deep cross and Higdon controlled before thumping home.

Substitute Johnny Russell had an effort parried by Samson as the home side tried to respond before he was brought down by John Potter and Buaben crashed his 30-yard free-kick into the corner.

Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Kenneth, Watson, S. Robertson, D. Robertson (Dow 51), Buaben, Gomis (Russell 69), Cadamarteri (Daly 61), Goodwillie

subs (unused): Banks, Douglas, Armstrong, Shala

Goals: Buaben (86)

St Mirren: Samson, van Zanten, Potter, Murray (Lynch 30), McAusland, McGregor, Travner, McGowan, Cregg, Higdon, Wardlaw (McLean 75)

subs (unused): Mathers, Brady, McCluskey, Mooy, Lamont

Goals: Higdon (41, 65)

Ref: E. Norris

Att: 5,548

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