We created plenty of chances, but only took one midway through the second half thanks to Michael Higdon. Even then, there was still no danger. Then, somehow, we let United score twice in the last 10 minutes to take three points they quite simply did not deserve.
It was a great performance, with Steven Robb in particular doing well. But it was all left to count for nothing thanks to a stupid ending. It wouldn't have been a surprise to see United goalscorers Danny Swanson and David Goodwillie wearing masks as they scored their goals.
The 3-5-2 was sent into action once again, but in a slightly different way. There was no Chris Innes, with David Barron being moved into defence and Steven Robb taking over in midfield. Innes wasn't even on the bench, meaning there were no defenders in reserve if needed. The other change saw the suspension free Steven Thomson replace Stephen O'Donnell. Dundee United had to make do without Andy Webster through injury and deployed Jon Daly as the lone striker, although it was really a front three when they attacked.
Many Saints fans would probably have gone as far as dropping Andy Dorman, a view that received further evidence after a quarter of an hour. Although he duffed his attempt to control a pass from Thomson, he regained possession only to shoot meekly at Dusan Pernis, who turned the goal behind for a corner. When Dorman swung it in, we nearly had an opener from an unlikely source, John Potter seeing his header clawed away by the Slovakian keeper. Another set-piece, this time a Robb free-kick, was also dangerous as Lee Mair found some space, but his glancing header failed to threaten Pernis.
At the other end, a rare threat from United almost had them in front when Daly got plenty on a Craig Conway corner, but Jack Ross was standing by the post and stooped to head it away. Saints were looking by far more the dangerous side in attack and were putting together some lovely moves, but the final ball was usually lacking. When Robb provided a good cross after a fantastic run, Billy Mehmet could only thump his shot into the advertising boards. It was a wonderful opportunity - and he'd probably have scored it if had been a cup game!
United boss Peter Houston knew his side was struggling and decided it was time to remove Pavel Mihadjuks, who as finding Robb difficult to handle. He'd already been booked for a foul on Dorman and he was replaced by Robert Smith. It steadied the ship, but only slightly, and just before half time Robb whipped in a free-kick that Dorman headed over from the edge of the six yard box.
The pair worked well again at the start of the second half, Robb exchanging passes with Dorman before easily beating Smith and crossing for Michael Higdon, only for the Englishman to get underneath it and the ball drifted over. Another opening arrived soon after when he was played in by Ross, this time the striker's shot being deflected to the waiting Pernis.
United chances were still few and far between but a decent one presented itself to Daly, only for him to hit it into the United fans behind the goal. It was then time for a couple if chances, Craig Dargo surprisingly replacing Dorman - Gus must have been taking his bravery pills this morning - while United replaced Conway with David Goodwillie.
The changes made an immediate difference, but unfortunately it was United who began to take the upper hand as they began to threaten for the first time. It was all hands to the deck at the back as Saints struggled to cope, fortunately Danny Swanson failing to do better with a couple of decent chances. However, we weren't prepared to sit back and Ross charged up the middle of the park before unleashing a shot that went just wide.
Next time we threatened, United weren't so lucky. As Dargo tried to move away from Darren Dods he was fouled, and the Arabs' punishment didn't end with their defender's booking. Robb's delivery from the free-kick was perfect and Higdon was relatively unchallenged as he headed the ball across Pernis and into the net.
United tried to summon a response, but instead were lucky still to have 11 men on the park. Mehmet managed a brilliant fresh air swipe to win possession before sending Dargo scampering away, only for the forward to run into Kenneth. Some Saints fans wanted a red card for the defender, but they had to settle for a yellow card and Robb sending the free-kick wide.
United's next free-kick was far more effective as Daly sent a header well out of Gallacher's reach to level the scores. Well, it would have done had the whistle not already gone for a foul by someone else in a tangerine shirt. Sadly, next time United found the back of the net it did count, Swanson sending a low drive past Gallacher with barely five minutes left.
It was a grave injustice and Saints set about trying to rectify that, sub Graham Carey - on for the tiring Robb - picking out Potter with a corner, only for Casalinuovo to head it off the line. Thomson let rip with a volley that always looked as if it was going wide before Kenneth almost managed to complete blatant robbery when it looked like his header from a corner was going in, only for Ross to head it away.
Instead, he left it up to sub Goodwillie to complete the crime. In the final minute of stoppage time, Daly swung the ball in, the defence didn't clear with it and Goodwillie somehow managed to prod the ball past Gallacher at the far post. To say it was undeserved would be like saying Hitler went a wee bit too far. It was unjust, smash and grab - and the sort of thing United seem to specialise in against us.
The performance up until the last 10 minutes or so was good. If we play like that and take our chances, we'll be fine. If we don't start putting them away and keep switching off, we'll be in big, big trouble.