Second-half comedown sees Dundee fire burn out

statements but he did make two changes from the day to forget at Celtic.

Frontman Nadir Ciftci and defender Dan Cleary came in for Glenn Middleton and James Brown, who both dropped to the bench.

Both sets of fans were in full voice as the teams emerged from the tunnel, fully aware of what was at stake.

The hosts, though, started the better and got after St Johnstone from the first whistle.

That paid off 10 minutes in as Max Anderson’s good work on the right found Paul McGowan in the box. He turned and fed left-back Marshall to fire coolly into the far corner.

It could have been 2-0 moments later as McGowan sent an effort goalwards only for Dan Cleary to save the day with a timely block.

Saints were being patient with the ball but their inability to test the Dundee defence brought boos from the away end.

They did, though, take control of the game as the half wore on.

A fierce Ciftci strike from 25 yards brought an impressive save from Ian Lawlor before Ali Crawford and Callum Hendry passed up opportunities before the break.

St Johnstone continued to press for an equaliser in the second half as their hosts sat deep and defended their lead.

They were inches away from making it 1-1 as first Ryan Sweeney and then Cammy Kerr cleared goal-bound efforts within seconds of each other.

Moments later it was all square as Melker Hallberg’s corner was nodded in by Saints’ cup goal hero Rooney.

They weren’t content with just one, however, as they continued to press forward, Hendry bringing a good low stop from Lawlor on 71 minutes.

The home side threw on Zak Rudden and Niall McGinn as they searched for the goal that would keep their survival hopes alive.

St Johnstone, though, held out to push their Tayside neighbours one step closer to the Championship.

Mark McGhee is yet to win a game as Dundee manager.