St Mirren's Billy O'Brien sends the ball up the park. Final score Dundee United 3 - 2 St Mirren. 22nd April, 2017.
Dundee United won to send St Mirren into the Scottish Championship's relegation play-off spot.
Thomas Mikkelsen fired United ahead as St Mirren players claimed for a foul but Gary Mackenzie headed the Buddies level before the break.
Tony Andreu struck a free-kick from inside the box for the Tangerines' second only for Josh Todd to equalise.
But Blair Spittal's late shot gave the hosts the victory they craved, leaving St Mirren two points off bottom.
Ray McKinnon's United, who remain third and are assured of a promotion play-off place, took the lead in controversial circumstances. Striker Mikkelsen went in with a high boot on Mackenzie but referee Craig Charleston waved play on and the Finn hammered the ball high into the roof of the visitors' goal.
Mackenzie had to receive treatment at the side of the pitch with the entire St Mirren bench, including manager Jack Ross, furious by the call from the officials.
Buddies captain Stephen McGinn had a half-chance for an equaliser with a header from a Lewis Morgan cross but there was little pace on the ball, which was gathered by Cammy Bell in the home goal.
Stevie Mallan was again showing the type of skills that has brought about interest from English clubs and was inches away with a free-kick that ended up in the Dundee United goal's side netting.
St Mirren continued to drive forward and deservedly equalised before the break. Mallan whipped in a free-kick at pace from the right-hand side that was met by the head of Mackenzie and Bell was beaten.
Simon Murray crashed a shot off the St Mirren crossbar from 25 yards and United then regained the lead in bizarre circumstances. Keeper Billy O'Brien picked up a pass-back inside his own box under pressure from Murray.
The free-kick was slipped to Andreu, who drilled through a ruck of defenders.
The visitors pushed more and more men forward looking for the equaliser and they were rewarded for their persistent pressure when substitute Todd hooked home from 12 yards out.
However, the home side took the lead for the third time in the final minute when Spittal hammered home from 20 yards.
It was a cruel end to the game for St Mirren, who have two games left to get out of relegation trouble.
Dundee Utd
1 Bell
8 Murdoch
4 Durnan
14 Edjenguele
24 Robson Booked 38mins
7 Spittal Booked 25min Sub for Donaldsonat 90+2'min
16 Flood
35 Allardice Substituted for Kuateat 46 min Booked at 69min
19 Andreu
9 Murray Booked 73min
18 Mikkelsen
Substitutes
3 Dixon
5 Donaldson
11 Nicholls
12 Telfer
17 Kuate
21 Zwick
22 Coote
St Mirren
21 O'Brien
3 Irvine Substituted for Demetriouat 77 min Booked 90min
6 Mackenzie Booked 8 min
15 Baird
44 Eckersley
42 Magennis
10 Mallan
22 McGinn
17 Morgan
11 Smith Substituted for Sutton 69 min
16 Loy Substituted for Todd 79 min
Substitutes
1 Langfield
2 Demetriou
4 Webster
8 Quinn
9 Sutton
20 Storie
25 Todd
St Mirren's Billy O'Brien sends the ball up the park. Final score Dundee United 3 - 2 St Mirren. 22nd April, 2017.
Dundee United won to send St Mirren into the Scottish Championship's relegation play-off spot.
Thomas Mikkelsen fired United ahead as St Mirren players claimed for a foul but Gary Mackenzie headed the Buddies level before the break.
Tony Andreu struck a free-kick from inside the box for the Tangerines' second only for Josh Todd to equalise.
But Blair Spittal's late shot gave the hosts the victory they craved, leaving St Mirren two points off bottom.
Ray McKinnon's United, who remain third and are assured of a promotion play-off place, took the lead in controversial circumstances. Striker Mikkelsen went in with a high boot on Mackenzie but referee Craig Charleston waved play on and the Finn hammered the ball high into the roof of the visitors' goal.
Mackenzie had to receive treatment at the side of the pitch with the entire St Mirren bench, including manager Jack Ross, furious by the call from the officials.
Buddies captain Stephen McGinn had a half-chance for an equaliser with a header from a Lewis Morgan cross but there was little pace on the ball, which was gathered by Cammy Bell in the home goal.
Stevie Mallan was again showing the type of skills that has brought about interest from English clubs and was inches away with a free-kick that ended up in the Dundee United goal's side netting.
St Mirren continued to drive forward and deservedly equalised before the break. Mallan whipped in a free-kick at pace from the right-hand side that was met by the head of Mackenzie and Bell was beaten.
Simon Murray crashed a shot off the St Mirren crossbar from 25 yards and United then regained the lead in bizarre circumstances. Keeper Billy O'Brien picked up a pass-back inside his own box under pressure from Murray.
The free-kick was slipped to Andreu, who drilled through a ruck of defenders.
The visitors pushed more and more men forward looking for the equaliser and they were rewarded for their persistent pressure when substitute Todd hooked home from 12 yards out.
However, the home side took the lead for the third time in the final minute when Spittal hammered home from 20 yards.
It was a cruel end to the game for St Mirren, who have two games left to get out of relegation trouble.
Dundee Utd
1 Bell
8 Murdoch
4 Durnan
14 Edjenguele
24 Robson Booked 38mins
7 Spittal Booked 25min Sub for Donaldsonat 90+2'min
16 Flood
35 Allardice Substituted for Kuateat 46 min Booked at 69min
19 Andreu
9 Murray Booked 73min
18 Mikkelsen
Substitutes
3 Dixon
5 Donaldson
11 Nicholls
12 Telfer
17 Kuate
21 Zwick
22 Coote
St Mirren
21 O'Brien
3 Irvine Substituted for Demetriouat 77 min Booked 90min
6 Mackenzie Booked 8 min
15 Baird
44 Eckersley
42 Magennis
10 Mallan
22 McGinn
17 Morgan
11 Smith Substituted for Sutton 69 min
16 Loy Substituted for Todd 79 min
Substitutes
1 Langfield
2 Demetriou
4 Webster
8 Quinn
9 Sutton
20 Storie
25 Todd