Tony Watt strikes for St Johnstone to hand them win over Dundee
The in-form former Celtic and Hearts striker notched the winner in the 52nd minute with a confident finish.
Last updated 25th Aug 2018
Tony Watt's second-half strike gave St Johnstone a narrow 1-0 win over struggling Tayside rivals Dundee in their Ladbrokes Premiership clash at McDiarmid Park.
The in-form former Celtic and Hearts striker, who signed a one-year deal with the Perth club in July, notched the winner in the 52nd minute with a confident finish.
The 24-year-old's sixth goal in eight games not only gave Saints their first league win of the season but increased pressure on Dundee boss Neil McCann.
The Dens Park men have lost their last four games, three in the league, and are still searching for their first point.
The first-half was goalless but not down to the lack of opportunities.
Dens defender Steven Caulker headed an Adil Nabi corner header just past the post after seven minutes, soon followed by Saints' chance.
Midfielder Matty Kennedy sent Watt racing clear down the left and his right-footed shot was parried by Dundee keeper Jack Hamilton with Caulker completing the clearance.
After Perth midfielder Murray Davidson limped off to be replaced by Blair Alston, Nabi's powerful drive from distance in the 24th minute was tipped over by Perth keeper Zander Clark with the home side dealing with the corner.
Saints then twice came close in a minute.
Kennedy forced his way past Dens Park right-back Jesse Curran and cut the ball back to David MacMillan who curled his shot just over the bar and then Watt set up Kennedy who drew his effort wide of the far post.
Back and forth it went. Curran's well-struck drive from the edge of the box was beaten away by Clark before Glen Kamara played in Ben Kallman, making his first start for Dundee, and his shot on the turn missed the far post by inches.
Play raced to the other end and Kennedy's volley from a Drey Wright cross was beaten away by Hamilton, who then saved an angled-drive from Watt.
The McDiarmid Park striker was more accurate seven minutes after the break when he took a pass from David MacMillan and kept ahead of the chasing Caulker before stroking the ball past Hamilton from 10 yards.
The onus was on Dundee to respond but McCann would have expected more and the travelling fans became increasingly agitated.
In the 88th minute Dens Park substitute Sofien Moussa, on for Kharl Madianga six minutes earlier, got his head to a Kallman cross but his close-range header was punched away by Clark and with that, the points were effectively secured for the home side.