St Mirren warm up for relegation play-off with draw vs Dundee Utd

St Mirren warmed up for their Premiership relegation play-off tie against Partick Thistle with a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United.

Craig McLeish's side were hoping to build on their midweek victory against Aberdeen ahead of the first leg at Firhill on Thursday night.

But they had to settle for a point after Jake Young's second-half strike cancelled out a first-half opener from Zac Sapsford for a United side already confirmed in seventh place prior to the match.

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St Mirren made five changes from their win at Pittodrie including handing a first start to 16-year-old Luke Douglas. Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser, Roland Idowu and Young also came in, with Liam Donnelly, Richard King, Jacob Devaney, Killian Phillips and Mikael Mandron dropping to the bench.

United gave a debut to 17-year-old Keir Gilligan as one of four changes following their goalless draw with Livingston. Kristian Keresztes, Craig Sibbald and Max Watters were also added to the line-up in place of Bert Esselink, Johnny Russell, Will Ferry and Neil Farrugia.

The first chance of the game went to Douglas, who was played in by Idowu but saw his driven effort saved by Dave Richards. The United goalkeeper then did well to repel Richardson's follow-up attempt.

There was a let-off for Richards when he spilled Douglas' shot over the line but his blushes were spared by the subsequent offside call. Sam Cleall-Harding then became the first player booked when he went in late on Douglas, who looked lively on his full debut.

It was United, though, who opened the scoring after 27 minutes. Watters supplied the cross from the left and Sapsford flicked the ball beyond Ross Sinclair from close range. Sibbald then blazed a shot over the crossbar from outside the box before Alex Gogic came close at the other end with a ferocious drive that was well saved.

Vicko Sevelj almost extended the visitors' lead early in the second half with a header from a corner that was pushed away by Sinclair. At the other end, Douglas failed to hit the target after being teed up by Marcus Fraser then saw a curled effort well saved by the goalkeeper.

St Mirren, though, did draw level in the 70th minute. King played in Young and his shot sped past Richards with the aid of a heavy deflection.

Saints could have won it late on but debutant Thomas Falconer's shot struck the post and an overhead kick from Gogic was blocked.

McLeish ready to put play-off trust in St Mirren youngsters

St Mirren's interim manager Craig McLeish:

"I've sat on the other side of it in games like this at the end of the season and maybe had things to say about managers and other clubs after looking at team lines and seeing no young ones were playing.

"So I can't get into this position now and then not give boys opportunities. I've worked with them, I know them, I love them to bits and I trust them so much.

"I have to then be brave enough to put them in and I have no hesitation putting them in either. Luke [Douglas] gets a standing ovation at the end, and rightly so. People might be a wee bit surprised at a 16-year-old kid playing like that but I've worked with Luke since he was maybe eight or nine years of age.

"I've got no hesitation throwing him in, playing him, bringing him off the bench, especially if you need a goal, if you need a spark. I know the level he's at. He's magnificent and he's a great kid to work with as well.

"It's two massive games. We can't feel pressure or anxiousness or nervousness with it. We have to have confidence and be excited about it and look forward to it.

"I coach for big moments. They play for big moments. There are no bigger moments (than) these two games to stay in the league."

Goodwin: We fell short of expectations

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin:

"I know there's a bit of disappointment among our supporters, and there's certainly disappointment in the group, because we missed out on that top six.

"I think with the achievement of last season, finishing fourth, naturally the expectations go up with that. We fell short of that.

"I think that's credit to the teams above us. I don't necessarily think it was because we've been terrible."