Source: Team_Talk
Saints seal semi-final spot again
A dull game was heading for extra-time until Steven Anderson headed Saints in front in the 72nd minute.[LNB]A dull game was heading for extra-time until an own goal from Sean Dillon put Saints ahead in the 72nd minute.[LNB]The tie looked over four minutes later when Darren Dods deflected a free-kick from the excellent Liam Craig past his own goalkeeper, but Prince Buaben's first goal in Scottish football set up a grandstand finish.[LNB]Former Rangers striker Jonatan Johansson made a surprise debut for Saints after signing for the club earlier in the day.[LNB]The 34-year-old Finland international, who was released by Hibernian last month, had been training with Derek McInnes' side but his capture only became apparent when he was named in the team.[LNB]Johansson's debut overshadowed another for goalkeeper Graeme Smith and a first appearance of the season for captain Kevin Rutkiewicz as Saints made six changes.[LNB]United, who made four of their own, were looking to make it a hat-trick of semi-final appearances, while Saints were hoping to emulate their run to the last four from 2006-07.[LNB]That included a 3-0 victory over United, who won 3-2 on their last trip to McDiarmid Park a month ago.[LNB]Tuesday night's match was the first under the stadium's new £100,000 floodlights and it should have been illuminated by a fifth-minute goal when a lovely left-wing Craig cross was headed wide by the unmarked Kenny Deuchar.[LNB]A lively-looking Johansson then fluffed his lines after racing onto a clipped Chris Millar ball, the new man smashing horribly wide from 15 yards.[LNB]Saints were getting in behind too easily and a Deuchar header forced a fine stop from the recalled Steve Banks, although the whistle had already gone for a foul.[LNB]United eventually got a foothold in the game and Danny Cadamarteri spoiled nifty footwork by blazing over from 18 yards in the 21st minute before Swanson followed suit in the 25th.[LNB]The recalled Craig sent in another pinpoint cross for Saints on the half-hour mark but Johansson and Murray Davidson got in each other's way trying to head home.[LNB]Goodwillie was then narrowly wide with a rising 30-yard drive.[LNB]Eight minutes before the break, Chris Millar scuffed a first-time effort straight at Banks from Deuchar's knockdown.[LNB]The big striker then had a half-chance of his own, but lifted it over the bar off balance from the edge of the box.[LNB]Half-time saw United bring on Dods for Andy Webster, who had recovered from illness to start.[LNB]Johannson missed a golden opportunity to net on his debut in the 51st minute when he nodded Deuchar's flick-on off target from just six yards.[LNB]United's fans screamed for a penalty when Cadamarteri tumbled over under pressure from Rutkiewicz but, tellingly, the forward made no appeal.[LNB]At the other end, Millar drove over left footed from 25 yards.[LNB]The returning Rutkiewicz was understandably replaced by Steven Anderson just past the hour.[LNB]Felipe Morais came on for Paul Sheerin in the 67th minutes as McInnes tried to end the stalemate.[LNB]And the opener finally arrived five minutes later courtesy of another fine Craig delivery, this time from a corner.[LNB]The ball actually deflected in off Dillon, although substitute Anderson celebrated as if he had scored.[LNB]United threw on Damian Casalinuovo for Fotheringham within four minutes of going behind but immediately conceded a second.[LNB]Craig was again the provider, his 40-yard free-kick flicking in off the unfortunate Dods.[LNB]Visiting boss Craig Levein made his final change as Craig Conway came on for Danny Swanson and was duly handed a lifeline eight minutes from time when Buaben looped a header over Smith after good work from Michael Kovacevic.[LNB]The keeper was booked for kicking the ball into the stands in frustration.[LNB]A frenetic finish saw United pour forward in search of an equaliser but Saints - who replaced Johannson with Kevin Moon late on - deservedly survived.[LNB][LNB]
