91�ȱ�

Dundee United defeated their city rivals at Tannadice but it was not enough to keep alive their hopes of playing European football next season.

Nadir Ciftci scored two first-half goals, punishing a slip by Dundee goalkeeper Kyle Letheren for the opener and adding another from the spot.

Dundee battled throughout but Blair Spittal's cool finish after the break put the result beyond the Dark Blues.

However, St Johnstone's win in Aberdeen means it is they who finish fourth.

United began the Scottish Premiership match one point and one place behind the Perth Saints, who must hope third-placed Inverness, who have already qualified for Europe, win the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk next weekend to free up a Europa League qualifying place.

Dundee were the sharper in the tackle in the early minutes and their efforts had their fans in good voice.

Yet they trailed after only eight minutes when Chris Erskine clipped a ball through for Ciftci to chase and he was gifted the chance to walk the ball into the net when Letheren slipped when he came out to clear.

91�ȱ� full-back Ryan McGowan was a threat with his throw-ins from the right and with Erskine and Spittal looking in the mood, United looked capable of extending their lead.

Dundee offered a threat too, notably from the lively Luka Tankulic and Greg Stewart, the latter tormenting Erskine on the goalline out on the left to set up Stephen McGinn for a side-footed shot at goal which United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak saved.

Paul Hartley's men found themselves two goals down when Thomas Konrad, who was already on a booking, nudged Ciftci off the ball to concede a penalty.

The Turk kept his cool to send Letheren the wrong way and double the visitors' lead.

Dundee never gave up but had no answer to United's clinical finishing.

Spittal won the ball in midfield and had the sense to quickly get back to his feet and race for goal where he latched on to John Rankin's precise through ball.

He picked his spot to rifle a low shot beyond Letheren and at that point it was United who were heading for fourth place in the Premiership.

Ryan McGowan leapt above Dundee defender Gary Irvine to meet Erskine's cross from the right and crack a header off the crossbar as United turned the screw.

John Souttar tested Letheren's reflexes with a cheeky back-heel from six yards. and in the closing minutes McGowan volleyed wide after some eye-catching skill by Ciftci out on the right wing.

However, Chris Kane's 70th-minute goal for St Johnstone at Pittodrie meant United's victory earned local bragging rights rather than a possible Continental foray next season.