Defender Danny Griffin was St Johnstone's hero after his 51st-minute strike set up a 2-0 win in the Tayside derby against Dundee United.

Griffin had been on international duty with Northern Ireland and had missed the Saints midweek win against Hibs.

But manager Sandy Clark kept faith with the big defender, reinstated him in the side, and his gamble paid off.

Griffin's breakthrough livened up a dull game and NathanLowndes' injury-time goal wrapped up the points for the Saints in what was in the end a well deserved victory.

There was little excitement for the fans in the early stages and the first goalmouth threat did not arrive until the 10th minute.

United striker Jim Hamilton fed a lovely ball across the Saints six yard box but there were no takers.

Saints countered and forced a couple of corners in quick succession but failed to threaten the United goal.

Saints striker Paddy Connolly slipped a nice reverse pass through the United defence but John O'Neill was ruled offside as the home team started to make inroads into the United defence.

United midfielder Hugh Davidson could not shake off an early injury and was substituted in the 21st minute, replaced by Jan Telesnikov.

Just after the half hour mark United had a half chance when defender Darren Patterson found himself on the end of a David Hannah overhead kick, but his header was easily saved by Saints' keeper Alan Ferguson.

Four minutes from the break Connelly had a chance to get his shot in from 16 yards but was blocked by Patterson and the ball went out for a corner.

At the other end United striker Jim Hamilton tried his luck from 25 yards but failed to trouble Ferguson.

Right on the half time whistle it was United who nearly took the lead.

Craig Easton swung in a cross, Hamilton met it six yards out but as the shot seemed to be net-bound Ferguson dived into his right to pull off a great save.

In the 31st minute the home side took the lead in spectacular fashion. Paul Kane touched a free kick to Griffin who lashed in a tremendous shot from 25 yards. Although United keeper Paul Gallagher got a hand to the ball he could only help it into the net.

Five minutes later the home side nearly made it two when Darren Dods' header from a John O'Neill cross went narrowly past the post with Gallagher stranded.

Just on the hour mark Saints were denied what seemed like a clear-cut penalty when McBride went tumbling in the box after rounding Gallagher.

But to the home crowd's astonishment referee Kim McCluskey waved play on and was surrounded by angry Saints players.

With United pushing forward, Saints were finding gaps in the visitors' defence and were unlucky not to score after the best move of the match involving O'Neill and Connolly.

With O'Neill certain to tap into an empty net United defender Iain Jenkins made a last-gasp tackle to save the day.

Saints were dominating the midfield with O'Neill and McBride playing some lovely one touch football as they began to press for the second goal.

But United themselves continued to go for an equaliser and were unlucky, with three minutes to go, when Hannah headed just over the bar from a Telesnikov corner.

But two minutes into injury-time Saints substitute Lowndes wrapped up the points, hammering home from the edge of the box after catching United defence on the break.

Teams:

St Johnstone: Ferguson, Griffin, Weir, Dods, Bollan, Frail, Kane, McBride, O'Halloran (Lowndes 66), Connolly (Jones 81),O'Neil.

Subs Not Used: Robertson, McMahon, McCulloch.

Goals: Griffin 51, Lowndes 90.

Dundee Utd: Gallagher, Jenkins, Pascual, Patterson, Malpas, Davidson (Telesnikov 21), Hannah, Easton, Preget (Ferraz 75), Thompson (McConalogue 55), Hamilton.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Smith.

Booked: Preget.

Att: 4,732

Ref: Jim McCluskey (Scotland