Tangerines make their point

Dundee United are now five games unbeaten despite having midfielder John Rankin sent-off late on in a scoreless draw at St Mirren.

Already deprived of their leading goalscorer Johnny Russell, the visitors were also without skipper Jon Daly due to injury, which led to an instant debut for latest signing Rory Boulding.

Swedish defender Marcus Tornstrand and young striker Robert Thomson also later made their first appearances as substitutes.

The Buddies threatened when the lively Gary Teale nearly found the head of former United striker Steven Thompson while Esmael Goncalves tried to capitalise on a misplaced Richie Ryan pass until Brain McLean blocked.

Ex-Celtic midfielder Paul McGowan also had a couple of unsuccessful efforts before United newcomer Boulding and Saints' danger-man Teale similarly tried their luck.

The visitors began to threaten more at the start of the second-half with Stuart Armstrong and Boulding both wide of the mark.

Home substitute Jon Robertson hoisted well over in reply while Goncalves curled an effort straight at keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak.

Good work from Armstrong presented another opportunity for the visitors when Michael Gardyne struck wide before Dougie Imrie half-volleyed over at the other end.

However, it took a great save from home keeper Craig Samson to deny Gardyne following a corner with just ten minutes remaining. Midfielder Armstrong also sent a close-range header over from Keith Watson's delivery.

The Tangerines then lost Rankin to a straight red card following a two-footed challenge on John McGinn before Graham Carey twice tried to break the deadlock for the home side during the closing moments.

St Mirren: Samson, van Zanten, Dummett, McAusland, McGowan (Parkin 74), Carey, Teale, Newton (Robertson 46), Thompson (Imrie 68), J, McGinn, Goncalves

subs (unused): Adam, Kelly, Mclean, Guy

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, McLean (Tornstrand 57), Douglas, Flood, Rankin, Ryan (Gardyne 68), Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Boulding (Thomson 68)

subs (unused): Banks, Souttar, Millar, Dow

Ref: Beaton

Att: 3,394

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