St Mirren suffered a devastating blow to their Premier League survival hopes as nearest rivals Dundee United cruised to a 4-0 win at Tannadice.

The Paisley side found themselves struggling after half an hour when Charlie Miller grabbed the opener and David Hannah added the second just three minutes later.

Any chance St Mirren had of a comeback vanished when Derek Lilley and Jim Hamilton both netted within two minutes of each other late in the game.

St Mirren manager Tom Hendrie had been boosted by the return of defender Barry McLaughlin for the crucial trip to Tayside after being sidelined with a fractured toe.

But it took Dundee United just four minutes to puncture the Saints defence and call goalkeeper Ludovic Roy into action.

Youngster Jamie McCunnie went on a good run down the right flank before chipping the ball into the box to the awaiting Jim Hamilton, whose header produced a superb one-handed save from the Frenchman.

After 13 minutes Hamilton was threatening again. This time Derek Lilley was the provider but Roy pounced before Hamilton could pull the trigger.

Miller should have opened the scoring after 16 minutes but the goalkeeper blocked from close range.

Lilley followed up with the rebound but this time it was Scott Walker who denied with a goal-line clearance.

A free-kick just outside the 18-yard box after 23 minutes gave Miller another chance at goal but this time he fired just wide.

Miller had looked like the most likely canndidate to grab the opener and he did just that after 32 minutes.

A Danny Griffin free-kick found Hamilton who crossed to Miller and the end result was stunning as the former Rangers player smashed the ball home from 25 yards.

Within three minutes St Mirren found themselves two goals behind. A long ball from Craig Easton found Hannah right in front of goal who nodded into the top corner of the net.

Six minutes before the break, Jamie McGowan had Saints' first real chance of the game but his close range header was well held by goalkeeper Paul Gallacher.

But St Mirren had a decent chance to pull a goal back just three minutes after the re-start.

Substitute Steven McGarry tried to set up Mark Yardley and the big striker fired on target but was denied by the goalkeeper.

A few minutes later, the action switched to the other end of the park when Lilley saw a free header blocked by the St Mirren goalkeeper.

But Saints were looking slightly more dangerous in the second half. Graham Fenton went on a run down the left wing before sending the ball to the on-rushing McGarry but the St Mirren striker just failed to connect in front of goal after 60 minutes.

McGowan also came close eight minutes later when he sent the ball just over from a Fenton cross.

United skipper Jason de Vos had the chance to kill off the game after 74 minutes but he nodded just wide from a Griffin corner.

Seconds later, Ricky Gillies came close for Saints with a long, powerful shot that slid just inches wide of the post.

With just 11 minutes to go it was Lilley who grabbed the goal that tied up the three points.

The United player played a one-two with Miller before unleashing the shot. Roy got a touch to the effort but could not stop the ball going over the line.

And Hamilton ensured there would be no way back for Saints when he met Griffin's cross to header the ball over the goalkeeper in 81 minutes.

Teams:

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, De Vos, Lauchlan, Buchan, Easton, Miller, Griffin, Hannah (Venetis 82), Lilley (Naveda 84), Hamilton (Robinson 82).

Subs Not Used: Combe, Smith.

Booked: Hannah.

Goals: Miller 32, Hannah 35, Lilley 79, Hamilton 81.

St Mirren: Roy, Walker, Turner, Barry McLaughlin, McGowan, McKenzie (McGarry 46), Gillies, Baltacha, Kerr (Nicolson 70), Dagnogo (Yardley 36), Fenton.

Subs Not Used: Scrimgour, Quitongo.

Booked: Gillies, Barry McLaughlin, Yardley.

Att: 8,334

Ref: Mike McCurry (Scotland).