Dundee United's miserable season continued in Perth when Keigan Parker grabbed St Johnstone's winner in the Tayside derby.

The Tannadice side have not won a league game all season and this was an eighth away defeat in a row.

The game was poor throughout with little goalmouth action and the breakthrough did not arrive until the 80th minute.

A Paul Kane corner was headed towards goal by Saints midfielder Nick Dasovic. The header was blocked but the ball fell kindly to Parker two yards from goal and the youngster gleefully slammed it into the net.

This was enough to ensure United remain firmly at the bottom of the table and to make matters worse for them David Partridge was shown the red card in the last minute for a foul on Momo Sylla.

In the fourth minute United goalkeeper Alan Combe flapped at a Craig Russell cross, but the danger was cleared by defender Jim Lauchlan.

Minutes later there was another scare in the United box when the ball fell to Saints midfielder John Paul McBride but the ex-Celtic's player's shot from 16 yards went high over the bar.

United's new signing Charlie Miller was showing some nice touches for the visitors in what was a crowded midfield area.

The game refused to settle down, however, and referee Mitchell was constantly blowing for fouls as both sides threw themselves into tackles.

As the first half wore on neither side could take control of the game and there was little goalmouth action for the fans to enjoy.

The constant stream of free-kicks meant there was little flow to the game and the fans became increasingly frustrated with the mistakes both sides began to make.

United's Alberton Naveda had a rare attempt at goal in the 37th minute but his effort was poor and Saints goalkeeper Alan Main watched the ball slip harmlessly wide.

Two minutes later Saints should have taken the lead after a Lauchlan mistake allowed Parker a clear run on goal, but the youngster's shot from eight yards went past the post as the relieved Lauchlan looked on.

Minutes later Combe got down well to save a McBride shot from the edge of the box as Saints began to exert some later first-half pressure.

The home side were first to threaten in the second half when Darren Dods latched on to a Sylla free-kick six yards from goal, but the big defender's header went past the post with Combe beaten.

Eventually United called Main into action but Jamie Buchan's header from eight yards from a John McQuillan cross was easily saved by Main.

The visitors were unlucky when Saints defender Gary Bollan's trip on McQuillan was deemed to be outside the box with the United players shouting for a penalty.

The tension rose in the closing stages, as both sides knew one goal would be enough to secure the points.

And with 10 minutes remaining it was Parker who got that winner for St Johnstone.