Dundee Utd 3 - 3 St Johnstone

Saints salvaged a point, having been in front at Tannadice

Dundee United and St Johnstone shared six goals in a thrilling Scottish Premier League encounter.

Peter MacDonald burst through the United defence to give St Johnstone a sixth-minute lead and Liam Craig got the visitors second on 21 minutes.

But United were a different team after the break and Jon Daly's header and Danny Swanson's volley restored parity.

Steven Anderson's own goal put United ahead but Kevin Moon's hooked shot claimed a point for Saints.

United, looking to build on last weekend's 4-1 thumping away to Falkirk, brought Darren Dods into defence for the injured Andy Webster.

But the visitors came roaring out of the traps and opened the scoring after six minutes.

Mihael Kovacevic failed to deal with a Jody Morris cross, allowing Moon headed the ball into MacDonald's path and he rifled a volley past Dusan Pernis.

MacDonald almost made it two moments later but he shot wide following good work by Cillian Sheridan.

St Johnstone goalkeeper Graeme Smith was called into action for the first time after quarter of an hour when he saved Craig Conway's 25-yard free kick.

The visitors made United pay for slack defending soon after when Danny Grainger's throw-in triggered panic, and MacDonald's flick found Craig, who slotted home.

Saints pressed for a third as Peter Houston's men rocked but the Terrors reduced the deficit after the break.

Daly headed home Conway's lofted free-kick in the 52nd minute and he had an effort chalked off moments later for offside.

Swanson fired home an equaliser fit to grace any game when he volleyed home from 25 yards past the helpless Smith.

And substitute Myrie-Williams's shot deflected off the luckless Anderson and found the net to see United nudge their noses in front.

But Moon salvaged a point for Saints when he collected Deuchar's headed pass and found the bottom corner of the net.

Dundee United interim manager Peter Houston:
"We let ourselves down in the first half, St Johnstone worked harder than us.

"They were told in no uncertain terms at half-time that we were lucky to be 2-0 down, it could've been more.

"What a change in the second half. I've got to give them credit for the spirit, attitude and desire. That was the real Dundee United that turned up in the second half.

"We got ourselves in front from 2-0 down and within a minute it was 3-3.

"Overall it was a cracking game and 3-3 might well have been deserved."

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes:
"At half-time, we were 2-0 up and were in charge of the game. We played very, very well in the first half.

"We forced a good team back, we were clinical with our finishing and we were very pleased with how much possession we had in their half of the park.

"We knew that United would come at us in the second half.

"At half-time, a point would've been disappointing. At 3-2 behind with minutes to go, a point is good.

"We're delighted with our immediate response to get the draw after going 3-2 down."