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A wonderful individual goal from Chris Millar completed a sensational fightback for St Johnstone to continue the home side's resurgent form.

United's breakthrough came two minutes before half-time when Calum Butcher angled a low effort across Alan Mannus.

Michael O'Halloran nodded Lee Croft's perfect delivery down and into the net.

Saints kept going and Millar picked up on the edge of the box, jinked to the left then cut back on to his right foot to finish low into the corner.

The goal was reward for St Johnstone's second-half commitment, and they always looked the more likely of the two teams despite falling behind.

A healthy 7,000 crowd witnessed a frenetic finale as the game opened up but United will rue the missed chance to close the gap to leaders Celtic to just two points.

It was a stale first half devoid of chances, with a Croft shot, which was tipped over, the only real effort of note by either side.

However, Butcher put the visitors ahead just before half-time after latching on to Stuart Armstrong's lay-off.

The midfielder stretched as he was closed down and arrowed a low effort across Mannus which left the keeper stranded.

United impressed with their tight, incisive interplay but a lack of clinical finishing cost them dearly as the match wore on, with Armstrong missing two good openings.

Dave Mackay went closest for St Johnstone with a fierce left-foot drive which was tipped away superbly by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

O'Hallaron brought St Johnstone back on level terms when he was inexplicably left unmarked just six yards from goal.

United claimed handball when Mackay charged down a clearance. The ball broke to Croft and it was his wonderful delivery that found the striker with the easiest of chances to nod home.

The game swung from end to end but it was a piece of individual brilliance which settled the match, perhaps from the unlikeliest source.

Millar picked up possession and jinked left into the penalty area.

He abruptly checked back and fired a wonderful low right-footed shot across goal, inside the far post to send the home crowd wild.

It was pulsating stuff as the final whistle approached but the home side held out to continue their upturn in form.