St Mirren and Dundee United were forced to share the points when their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash ended in an uninspiring goalless stalemate.

Confidence would have been high in the United camp following their comfortable victory over Hearts, while Saints would have been keen to finally record a first league win in the new home they moved into back in January.

But neither side could find the killer touch to make a difference in a match which, at times, was devoid of entertainment as well as goals.

St Mirren made a couple of changes from the side who narrowly lost to Hibernian last week for the visit of United.

Hugh Murray recovered from a groin injury to start along with Craig Dargo, in place of the suspended Steven Thomson and Michael Higdon, who was named on the bench.

Unsurprisingly, United named the same XI from their win on Monday night, with Morgaro Gomis retaining his place despite being doubtful for the trip to Paisley.

The Tannadice side had the chance to pile on the pressure when Paul Dixon won a free-kick out on the left flank but Danny Swanson's effort was weak and easily collected by Paul Gallacher in the Saints goal.

At the other end, Jack Ross released Garry Brady into the box but his shot from the tightest of angles was nodded to safety by Darren Dods.

United had a decent penalty shout when Swanson went to ground in the box under pressure from Murray but referee Dougie McDonald ignored the pleas, awarding a corner instead which the visitors failed to capitalise on.

The tempo of the game had picked up after a tepid start and Saints could have snatched the opener when Billy Mehmet threw himself in front of Brady's cross only to nod agonisingly wide of target.

Danny Cadamarteri had grabbed all the plaudits with a double against Hearts earlier in the week but he was denied by Gallacher who managed to smother his low drive after a decent run into the box.

Only the woodwork then prevented United from taking the lead when Dixon's corner was met by Dods and his half-volley rattled the underside of the crossbar.

With half-time rapidly approaching, St Mirren had one last attempt at snatching the opener when Andy Dorman teed up the volley for Stephen McGinn only for his well-struck effort to flash across goal and wide.

United looked dangerous after the break and had a couple of chances to break the deadlock.

Swanson embarked upon an impressive run into the box before slotting into the path of Cadamarteri, who supplied a cheeky backheel flick but there was no-one to provide the finish.

David Goodwillie then tried his luck with a blistering shot from distance which whistled narrowly past Gallacher's right-hand post.

United had already been denied by the woodwork and it was Saints' turn when Brady whipped in a dangerous-looking ball from the right which smacked off the outside of the post.

Damian Casalinuovo had been handed his competitive debut for United when he replaced Cadamarteri but was forced out of the action just over 10 minutes later with blood streaming down his face following a head knock.

Tom Brighton was then thrown into the action and could have grabbed a late winner for St Mirren but was denied the glory when his volley fell wide of Nicky Weaver's goal.

Teams:

St Mirren Gallacher, Mair, Potter, Barron,Murray (Brighton 84), McGinn, Dorman (Robb 79), Ross, Brady,Dargo (Higdon 64), Mehmet.

Subs Not Used: Howard, Innes, Quinn, Faulds.

Booked: Higdon.

Dundee Utd Weaver, Webster, Dods, Dixon, Scott Robertson,Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Kovacevic,Cadamarteri (Casalinuovo 69), Goodwillie (Myrie-Williams 88),Casalinuovo (Shala 81).

Subs Not Used: Banks, Dillon, Kenneth, McCord.

Att: 4,775

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).