The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
But Dees lose again
caught under his feet and Craig was able to get back to snuff out the threat.
This season has been a dreadful one for Dundee as far as injuries have been concerned, and for skipper O’Donnell in particular. Just weeks after making his comeback, the midfielder was stretchered off after a collision with Murray Davidson.
He was replaced by Kevin McBride.
There was a Perth penalty shout on 55 minutes when Tade went to ground from a Gallagher challenge after he got on the end of a Vine flick.
Referee John McKendrick though judged it to be shoulder to shoulder.
Just before the hour Mackay played a free-kick to Vine, who had slipped his marker on the edge of the box.
His low, first-time shot on the turn beat Douglas’s right hand but drifted past the far post.
The 1-0 lead was anything but secure and it took a last ditch sliding block by Scobbie to deflect a Nish left-foot shot looping over the bar.
It was the big striker’s last involvement of the match as on 65 minutes he was replaced by Mark Stewart.
Saints made a substitution of their own three minutes later when Tade made way for Steven MacLean.
Murray Davidson spotted a Pawlett run down the right and the winger drove into the box before going down while being tracked and eventually tackled by McAlister.
The referee was not interested in his penalty appeal and booked him instead for diving.
On 73 minutes a Craig corner to the back post was won by Frazer Wright, whose header bounced off the top of the bar and over.
Dundee’s most dangerous player was Nicky Riley, and he came close to grabbing an equaliser with a solo goal.
He carried the ball from inside his own half and shrugged off the attention of three Saints players before letting fly from 25 yards with a shot that didn’t miss by much.
Both managers made attacking last substitutions — John Baird for Milne and Nigel Hasselbaink for Vine.
The Dutchman made an immediate impact and was involved in setting up Pawlett, whose goal-bound shot was deflected past the post by Gallagher.
In the 90th minute Baird was in a good crossing position on the left, with several players pouring into the box.
He could not find any of them and the ball travelled straight into the arms of Mannus.
St Johnstone — Mannus, Mackay, Callum Davidson (Scobbie 35), Wright, Millar, Murray Davidson, Tade (MacLean 68), Craig, McCracken, Pawlett, Vine (Hasselbaink 83). Subs not used — Tuffey, Moon, Caddis, Steeves.
Dundee — Douglas, Irvine, Davidson, Gallagher, Toshney, Easton, Riley, O’Donnell (McBride 54), McAllister, Nish (Stewart 65), Milne (John Baird 82). Subs not used — Alex Baird, McGregor, Conroy, Boyle. Referee — John McKendrick Attendance — 5,055