Ten-man St Mirren saw their chances of Premier League survival falter after losing a two-goal lead against St Johnstone to draw 2-2.

The Paisley side left McDiarmid Park with just one point and although that brings them level with Dundee United the Tannadice outfit can stretch their lead to four points against Dunfermline on Sunday.

The Buddies looked on course for a win when Mark Yardley netted after Darren Dods' earlier own goal.

But the St Johnstone player managed to put the ball in the St Mirren goal to bring the Perth side back into the game.

Paul Hartley had missed a penalty kick that had seen Ricky Gillies red-carded but he grabbed the goal that ensured a share of the points for St Johnstone.

It was St Johnstone's lone striker Momo Sylla who provided the first attack of the game. He took the ball round Scott Walker before unleashing a shot that swept just wide after five minutes.

But team-mate Nick Dasovic came even closer three minutes later after dispossessing Saints defender Sergei Baltacha.

Goalkeeper Ludovic Roy was well beaten and the Canadian's shot looked goalbound but slid just inches wide of the upright.

It was 10 minutes before St Mirren had their first chance of the game when Stephen McPhee nodded the ball into the path of Yardley but the big striker's shot was well-saved by goalkeeper Alan Main.

But four minutes later the St Johnstone goalkeeper was left helpless by one of his own players.

Gary Bowman tried to pick out Yardley in the box as both he and Darren Dods battled for the ball and the St Johnstone player nodded into his own net while trying to clear - although no doubt Yardley will try to claim this one.

Yardley did manage to add his name to the scoresheet after 21 minutes grabbing his fourth goal of the season.

McPhee's shot was blocked by Main but the St Johnstone goalkeeper fumbled the ball and Yardley was the first to react to fire home the rebound.

But just eight minutes later the home side were back in the game. Sylla's corner picked out the unmarked Dods in front of goal and this time he managed to not home into the correct goal.

Seconds later the McDiarmid Park side almost drew level from another Sylla flag kick.

This time Jim Weir was threatening but Iain Nicolson's quick reaction to clear off the line allowed the Paisley side to hold on to their lead.

But Saints were handed the chance to level after 32 minutes when Gillies was ruled to have brought down Tommy Lovenkrands in the box.

The foul appeared to have taken place outside the area but referee Dougie McDonald promptly showed the St Mirren player the red card and pointed to the penalty spot.

Hartley stepped up for the set piece but smacked the ball off the upright allowing St Mirren to hold on to their slim lead.

After the restart St Johnstone were starting to look like the more dominant side.

A John Paul McBride free-kick was met by Ross Forsyth who unleashed a superb long range shot but he was denied by Roy who just managed to push the ball wide.

The Perth Saints continued to pile on the pressure and came close again after 66 minutes.

Keigan Parker's miskicked ball was picked up by Marc McCulloch inside the area but again the St Mirren keeper came to the rescue.

But just one minute later Hartley made amends for his earlier penalty miss when his long, low drive slid past the French goalkeeper.

Substitutes Nathan Lowndes and Parker were working well together and they combined to set up Sylla in front of goal but he sent the ball just over the crossbar after 78 minutes.

Seconds later Parker tried to add his own name to the scoresheet forcing Roy into a superb save.

Sylla should have clinched the three points with just four minutes remaining from a few yards out but he tried to walk the ball into the net and was dispossessed by Jamie McGowan.

Even so St Mirren now have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid playing First Division football next season.