Never-say-die Dundee United qualified for the top six of the Scottish Premiership as they stormed back to beat St Mirren 3-2 at Tannadice today.
The fourth-placed Tangerines are guaranteed top-half football after the split thanks to being a now uncatchable 13 points clear of seventh-placed Hibs, who were defeated by Partick Thistle at Firhill.
The feat was achieved in spectacular style as they scored three times in the second-halfthe last and winning goal fired home in injury-time by Nadir Ciftcito clinch what had looked like an unlikely victory.
Indeed, the Buddies dominated the first half and took the lead on 19 minutes when a freekick from deep by Marc McAusland was headed home by the unmarked Paul McGowan.
They deservedly added another on 39 minutes when former Tannadice man Steven Thompson pounced to poke the ball home after a John McGinn cross from the left had struck home defender Gavin Gunning.How did United play? Have your say below.Up at the other end, Farid El Alagui squandered a golden chance to get the hosts back in it when he stretched to shoot over from close range when a header would have burst the St Mirren net.
After the break, United looked a bit brighter and Ryan Gauld squandered a golden chance after a mix-up in the Buddies’ defence, the teenager shooting wide when he should have hit the target.
With quarter-of-an-hour to go, Gary Mackay-Steven’s half-volley from outside the box was tipped over the bar by Saints’ goalie Marian Kello as the Tangerines pushed forward.
Brian Graham pulled a goal back when he slid home a cross from the left from fellow sub Ryan Dow on 79 minutes to give the home fans hope.
The Tangerines then drew level when their third sub, Stuart Armstrong, showed great composure to place his shot past Kello after it had bounced about the Buddies’ box.
Ciftci then pounced on a fumble by Kello after Dow’s last-gasp shot to poke the ball over the line.
Meanwhile, the Tangerines have had a request from the SFA to switch their William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final from Ibrox to Celtic Park rejected by the governing body.
United have yet to find out who their last-four opponents will be for the April 12 fixtureAlbion Rovers and Rangers will meet in the replay at New Douglas Park on Monday.
However, in the expectation that the Light Blues will win through they do not want to be playing Ally McCoist’s men at their own stadium.
Chairman Stephen Thompson said: “If it is to be Rangers, then we are not happy with the fact that it is not a neutral venue.”
However, the SFA have already said no to a switch and have allocated United a maximum 13,100 tickets for the game.
The fixture furore stems from Hampden being unavailable due to its use as an athletics stadium for the Commonwealth Games this summer.