Dundee United came from behind to secure a deserved 1-1 draw at St Johnstone after Lyall Cameron struck 11 minutes from time.
The visitors had controlled the opening stages but went into the interval behind after Josh Fowler scored his sixth Scottish Premiership goal of the season.
However, Fowler was unable to return for the second half because of illness, and St Johnstone could not reproduce last Sunday’s victory in Aberdeen, when they successfully defended a 1-0 advantage.
Jim Goodwin was able to call on a series of attacking and creative options from the Dundee United bench, and his side eventually made their pressure count.
The result leaves both clubs on 12 points in the top half of the table after encouraging starts to the campaign.
Dundee United made the brighter start and repeatedly found space during the first 20 minutes. St Johnstone were unsettled early on, with Cheick Diabate making his return from suspension.
Jesse Randall posed a consistent threat on United’s right. Dan Finlayson prevented Diabate from being punished when he blocked the winger’s shot as it appeared destined for the net.
Idjessi Metsoko then connected with a Joshua Rawlins cross from six yards, but his header lacked power and went straight into the arms of Toby Steward.
St Johnstone gradually settled and tested Jack Walton in the 17th minute. The United goalkeeper had to stretch to push away Sam Stanton’s turning effort.
Four minutes later, the home side took the lead. Dundee United lost Fowler in the penalty area as Enes Alic’s inviting cross from the left dropped into the six-yard box. The league’s leading scorer reacted quickly to prod the ball past Walton.
United struggled to recover their early momentum before half-time. Steward dealt comfortably with Dylan Tait’s long-range effort in the 40th minute.
Fowler was replaced by Ruari Paton at the interval, and the substitute created an opportunity for Taylor Steven, although the Scotland Under-21 cap sent his attempt wide.
Paton later forced Walton into a mistake, with the goalkeeper spilling his shot before recovering to block Stanton’s follow-up. Those chances represented most of St Johnstone’s attacking threat after the break.
Dundee United became increasingly dangerous with Zac Sapsford and Lachlan Rose leading the attack. Finlayson continued to impress as St Johnstone defended their penalty area determinedly, but the pressure eventually told.
Randall sent a low delivery into the box, and Sapsford’s clever dummy allowed the ball to reach Cameron. The midfielder was nudged by Liam Smith, giving the visitors a possible claim for a penalty, but he stayed on his feet and calmly lifted his finish beyond Steward.
Steward then made an important save from Sapsford after 90 minutes to ensure St Johnstone held on for a point.
