St Mirren 1-1 Dundee United

St Mirren picked up a vital point in their fight against relegation as they held high-flying Dundee United to a 1-1 draw in Paisley. Kenny McLean produced a spectacular opener after 37 minutes - but the lead lasted just five more as Stuart Armstrong lashed home for United. The draw moves Gary Teale's side four points ahead of Scottish Premiership basement boys Ross County - although the Dingwall men have played two games less. But it was more frustration for United. The Taysiders learned this week that winger Gary Mackay-Steven has signed a pre-contract agreement with title rivals Celtic but the stalemate leaves them six points adrift of Ronnie Deila's new leaders having played a match more. Yoann Arquin was back in the St Mirren line-up despite lasting just 37 minutes on his debut against old club Ross County last Saturday. The former Staggies striker was sent off for a foul on Lewis Toshney but the Buddies have now appealed the decision, meaning he was free to face United. Keith Watson was one of four newcomers to the visitors' line-up but he almost cost his side with a short pass-back just five minutes in. Radoslaw Cierzniak rescued his team-mate, however, when he raced out to block at McLean's feet. The keeper then denied Arquin his first goal for Saints after McLean's dummy fooled the Tangerines defence. However, Chris Erskine fired just wide on the turn as United eventually got their passing game going. John McGinn, McLean and Sean Kelly were all allowed space around the United box to shoot but took it in turn to fire straight at Cierzniak. But then McLean did find a way past the keeper with his impressive opener seven minutes before the break. Latching onto Arquin's header from Mark Ridgers' long punt, he lobbed the ball over defender Sean Dillon before stretching to steer a controlled finish into the net. United striker Nadir Ciftci wasted a back-post header for an instant reply but made amends when he set up Armstrong for the leveller after 42 minutes. The Turkey-born forward collected from Mackay-Steven, after the new Hoops signing drove through midfield, and pulled back for playmaker Armstrong to slam under Mark Ridgers' body with his second touch. The quality on show took a noticeable dip after the break until Erskine sent Conor Townsend racing through, but the left-back pushed his shot beyond the far-post. Former Motherwell striker Henri Anier completed his Tannadice move just hours before kick-off after quitting German second division outfit Erzgebirge Aue and was soon thrown into the action as he replaced Erskine with 25 minutes left. Jackie McNamara's side stepped up the tempo looking for space to exploit but found their efforts blocked as the determined Saints worked back to fill in the gaps. But the Buddies forced themselves forward, coming close to a vital second goal with 13 minutes left when defender Marc McAusland nodded over from Stevie Mallan's corner. They came even closer moments later when Kelly span free of John Rankin before slotting McLean through on goal. He could only steer wide, while Jason Naismith also went close with another header. The hosts wanted a penalty when Jaroslaw Fojut blocked McAusland's goal-bound strike with his hand but referee John Beaton correctly ruled the defender's arms were down by his side. Ciftci had another chance to put United in front in the final minute but again failed to bury his header as the teams settled for a share of the spoils.