The fight for fourth spot remains a tight one after this draw between St Johnstone and Dundee United at McDiarmid Park.
The Tayside rivals are locked together on 53 points but the Tangerines hold a three-goal advantage over the Perth men.
Also, with Saints still to play the top two teams in the league Celtic and Aberdeen they are up against it, while it could be argued United’s games against Inverness Caley Thistle and Dundee are easier prospects on paper.
After a bright start by St Johnstone, United hit the post with a 30-yard strike from Nadir Ciftci on 19 minutes.
The home side squandered several chances in what was an entertaining match, the worst one being the penalty by Dave Mackay that was saved by visitors’ goalie Rado Cierzniak right before half-time.
With that excellent stop giving them a huge boost, the Tangerines took the lead on 68 minutes when a Robbie Muirhead header hit the bar and the rebound was nodded over the line by John Rankin,
Saints hit back, though, with a terrific equaliser on 77 minutes, with Murray Davidson sweeping home a Danny Swanson to give the scoreline a fairer look.
United had a late claim for a penalty of their own when Ciftci went down after a challenge from Mackay but nothing was given.