St Mirren breathed new life into their quest to avoid relegation from the Bank of Scotland Premier League as goals from Hugh Murray and Kirk Broadfoot earned a badly-needed win over 10-man Dundee United.

The game turned when Noel Hunt was sent off in the 21st minute for striking Broadfoot as the pair clashed on the ground, and three minutes later Murray beat Derek Stillie with a low drive to open the scoring.

St Mirren blew a great chance to score a second when Stewart Kean's 65th-minute penalty was saved by Stillie, but with two minutes remaining Broadfoot secured the win by heading in from a Mark Corcoran corner.

United had control of the game in the early stages, with Morgaro Gomis firing over before Hunt tested Chris Smith with a low drive from 20 yards which was well saved.

But Hunt was then dismissed for appearing to kick Broadfoot and St Mirren took full advantage.

After Andy Millen's free-kick from the left wing was not cleared by the United defence, Murray strode on to the loose ball to lash a drive past the stranded Stillie.

Following the breakthrough St Mirren looked to quickly build on their lead, but John Potter will have been disappointed to see his half-volley fly well over following Corcoran's corner from the left.

Corcoran continued to cause United all manner of problems and two minutes before the break the midfielder's centre went right across the face of goal to be gathered by Millen at the back post.

Millen quickly fed Broadfoot, who in turn found Kean, and the St Mirren striker was only denied a goal by a great challenge from David McCracken.

Aware of the danger being posed by Corcoran, Lee Wilkie decided to stop the playmaker by any means necessary and the United captain was deservedly cautioned for a cynical challenge in the 44th minute.

Wilkie was then fortunate not to have seen a penalty awarded against him early in the second period, after holding Corcoran as the two jostled to get on the end of an Alan Reid cross.

The ball eventually broke off the pair to Murray, but the midfielder could not replicate his earlier effort, shooting wide of goal.

United's defence remained under pressure from the visitors and a great run from Broadfoot ended with a chip which drifted wide, before Stillie made a terrific block at the feet of Kean to stop the forward getting on the end of Corcoran's cross.

Stillie then made an even better save in the 65th minute to deny Kean from the penalty spot, after Broadfoot had been tripped from behind in the 18-yard box by Christian Kalvenes.

For all of their anxious defending, United were still in the game though and an 86th-minute header from Kalvenes which was saved by Smith reminded St Mirren they still had work to do.

However, the Buddies secured an extremely valuable victory two minutes later, when Broadfoot - who joins Rangers this summer - stooped low to head past Stillie following yet another brilliantly flighted corner from Corcoran.

The win lifts St Mirren four points clear of Dunfermline at the foot of the table, ahead of the Pars' crunch meeting with Motherwell on Monday. Survival is in sight.

Teams

Dundee Utd Stillie, Dillon, Wilkie (Mair 63), McCracken,Kalvenes, Samuel, Kerr, Gomis (Conway 68),Easton (Goodwillie 31), Robertson, Hunt.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Duff, Robb, Cameron.

Sent Off: Hunt (21).

Booked: Wilkie, Dillon, Robertson.

St Mirren Smith, Potter, Broadfoot, Maxwell, van Zanten, Reid,Millen, Murray, Burke (Mehmet 60), Kean (Malone 87),Corcoran (Brady 90).

Subs Not Used: Hinchcliffe, Sutton, Mackay, McKenna.

Booked: Broadfoot, Murray, Potter.

Goals: Murray 23, Broadfoot 88.

Att: 6,875

Ref: K Clarke (Scotland).