Source: Team_Talk
Daly leaves it late to sink Saints
Jon Daly's 83rd-minute winner dented St Johnstone's top-six hopes and strengthened Dundee United's grip on third place in the SPL on Monday.[LNB] The Tannadice striker popped up to head home his 11th goal of the season and leave Saints to think of what might have been after Liam Craig missed a 70th-minute penalty.[LNB]The hosts had held the slight edge in a competitive Tayside derby when Craig saw his kick saved by Dusan Pernis.[LNB]Daly made Craig pay for his failure as Peter Houston's men extended their unbeaten run to eight games and opened up a commanding eight-point lead over Hibernian in the pursuit of the Europa League.[LNB]But Derek McInnes' side now face a massive fight to reach the top half, trailing Hearts by three points ahead of the last round of pre-split fixtures this weekend.[LNB]Houston made one change from the team that won 4-2 at Hibs, with Paul Dixon restored after suspension for Prince Buaben. Fit-again Danny Cadamarteri was also among the substitutes.[LNB]St Johnstone were unchanged from the team that stunned leaders Rangers 4-1 and created early pressure, forcing five corners in the opening 10 minutes as they adapted best to the blustery conditions.[LNB]They came closest when top scorer Craig tried his luck from distance and Pernis took no chances to push over.[LNB]United threatened after 15 minutes when Craig Conway's free-kick from the left saw the ball break to captain Andy Webster, who brought out a smart save from Graeme Smith from 10 yards.[LNB]At the other end, a glorious opening fell to Jody Morris. Filipe Morais' free-kick was nodded into the Londoner's path by Michael Duberry but Morris fired wide from just inside the penalty area.[LNB]Saints came yet closer when Danny Grainger's cross drifted across goal and Pernis had to look lively to smother Sheridan's effort at his far post.[LNB]Ex-United defender Grainger was lucky not to join Michael Duberry in referee Steve Conroy's book after a rash challenge on Danny Swanson.[LNB]United almost made a stunning start to the second half as Dixon's cross from the left was flicked on by David Goodwillie and Daly stretched to knock over Smith's bar.[LNB]The visitors had resumed in far more positive fashion as a strong away support voiced their approval.[LNB]On 52 minutes, Webster looked certain to score but was flagged offside before Smith impressively turned over his drive anyhow.[LNB]Neat footwork from Chris Millar saw Saints respond but Pernis was behind his curling strike.[LNB]Houston was forced into a change on 56 minutes as ex-Saint Darren Dods replaced the injured Webster.[LNB]The hosts immediately passed up their best chance yet as Morais' left-wing cross fell at the feet of Duberry but the former Chelsea defender lashed wide from the penalty spot.[LNB]Craig then saw a lofted half-volley drift over Pernis' bar as they began to exert more pressure.[LNB]Buaben made his entrance on 67 minutes for Goodwillie, while ex-United forward Collin Samuel replaced Sheridan.[LNB]Just two minutes later McInnes' side were handed the perfect chance to break the deadlock.[LNB]Dixon tripped Dave Mackay in the area and Conroy had no option but to point to the spot.[LNB]However, Craig picked the wrong time to miss his first penalty of the season as Pernis dived to his left to push away.[LNB]United's players rushed to congratulate their Slovak goalkeeper, but home heads did not go down.[LNB]Mackay soon went close when his acrobatic half-volley almost drifted into the far corner of the net, but the visitors withstood the pressure to claim the decisive goal against the run of play seven minutes from time.[LNB]Morgaro Gomis did brilliantly on the right to dig out a cross and Daly was on hand to bullet a header past Smith. Saints pushed for the leveller but Houston's outfit held on for a precious victory.
