IT wasn’t a game for the purists at McDiarmid Park as St Johnstone and Dundee United met in the only all Scottish Premiership clash of the Betfred Cup group stages. 

Those who like a flutter could have probably called this one was going to penalties before the game had even started if they had conducted their pre-match study correctly. 

The pair had already met on two occasions this season before this encounter and both matches had ended in draws – and low scoring ones at that. 

In the end it was Dundee United who came out on top in Perth tonight though as they kept their Bedfred Cup dreams alive by way of the penalty spot. 

Goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet saved twice to help Micky Mellon’s team to a bonus point - but he also had to look sharp during the 90 minutes to ensure his team remained in the League Cup for the time being. 

Saints started the brighter of the Tayside duo and Shaun Rooney, who was in for Ireland under 21 internationalist Danny McNamara, caused problems down the right hand side. 

The former Inverness man cut in from the right flank early doors before finding David Wotherspoon at the edge of the box. The Perth stalwart failed to trouble Mehmet with his weak strike though. 

The home side continued to press, and they actually had the ball in the net via Callum Hendry on ten minutes. The youngster replaced Stevie May in Saints’ starting line-up, but he was flagged offside following a flicked header from strike partner Chris Kane. 

Hendry then found himself on the deck following a challenge from Mark Connolly in the box. Don Robertson waved away any appeals, but Callum Davidson will be disappointed to not see the spot kick given when he views replays. 

Both sides made six changes for the McDiarmid Park encounter and it was obvious as play was pretty disjointed all over the park. The scrappy nature of the game pointed in only one direction – penalties. 

United passed up a huge opportunity when a Saints defensive mix up left Paul McMullan free in the box in the late stages of the first half – but the attacker couldn’t beat an on rushing Zander Clark. 

On the flip side, Hendry failed to find the target on two occasions after being teed up by Kane in the second period and Michael O’Halloran was denied at the death despite a powerful strike at the near post. 

The match ended goalless and Stevie May, who was introduced from the bench, and Scott Tanser missed their penalties in the shootout as United ran out 4-3 winners to claim an all-important bonus point. 

Micky Mellon’s team now face an anxious wait to find out whether they qualify via the ‘best of the rest’ route - but the United boss was delighted with his team’s showing. 

He said: “Yeah listen we came over here to win the game and that is what we have managed to do. 

“I thought it was a decent game, there was a lot of quality shown by both sides and if we are honest I think it could have gone either way. 

“We came here wanting to keep moving the Dundee United process forward.  

“We wanted to get the defending right and we wanted to be a wee bit better with the football this evening. I have to say the players did that so I am pleased with that. 

“I am pleased to get a cleansheet and I am pleased to come to a place like St Johnstone and get a victory.” 

Saints will top the group if they defeat Peterhead on Saturday and Perth boss Callum Davidson added: “I think both teams came and had a go tonight. I know it was 0-0 but both teams tried to put pressure on the other team to win the game. 

“I thought we had the better chances and I am disappointed we didn’t take them and see the game out. I look at it as a draw and another game undefeated.  

“It is a positive that the league is still in our hands. We go to Peterhead on Saturday and the boys know what is needed. We will go up there looking to win the game.”