Ten-man Dundee United fought out a well deserved 0-0 draw with St Mirren at Tannadice.

The home team had Stephen Wright sent of on 29 minutes for a professional foul on Saints striker Jens Paeslack.

But St Mirren failed to take advantage of the extra man in a game which had few goal clear scoring opportunities for either side.

Indeed, it was United who were the better team in the second half and as they fought and battled for every loose ball, the draw being the least they deserved.

United, sitting at the bottom of the league, forced a couple of early corners as they went looking for the breakthrough.

But the St Mirren's defence held firm and Ludovic Roy was untroubled in goal.

Mvondo Atngatana tried his luck with a 25-yard shot on nine minutes, but the Cameroonian's effort went high over the bar.

Minutes later United defender Hassney Aljofree was booked for his second foul on Jose Quitongo.

St Mirren came close on 12 minutes after Quitongo sent Jamie McGowan free down the left.

His ball in flashed across the six-yard box and Paeslack was only inches away from connecting.

Next up to have an effort was Steven McGarry who fashioned a chance for himself at the edge of the United box, but his low drive went narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

United had a penalty claim turned down on 25 minutes when Alphunse Tcami was challenged in the box by Scott Walker.

Referee Kenny Clark had a long look, but waved awat the protests of both the United players and the home fans.

United's prospect of victory were reduced on 29 minutes when Wright was given his marching orders.

Paeslack was clear through on goal when Wright pulled him back by his shorts, giving referee Clark no option but to show the red card.

This seemed to spark some life into the game and minutes later McGowan had a header well saved by Combe from a Ricky Gillies' corner.

United seemed fuelled by a sense of injustice and Steven Thompson went on a good run only to see his shot from 14 yards deflected past for a corner.

United came out for the second half in determined fashion and within two minutes they had the Saints' defence in trouble.

Midfielder Jamie Buchan drove into the heart of the visitors' rearguard, but his left-foot shot went narrowly past Roy's right-hand post.

But St Mirren clearly fancied their chances with the extra man and Gillies brought out a good save from Combe with a 20-yard drive which seemed destined for the bottom left-hand corner.

On 55 minutes Atngatana, playing up front himself, caused panic in the Saints' defence with a driving run but without help from his team-mates he was eventually crowded out.

But United were determined to get this elusive first victory and minutes later Thompson set up Joachim Fernandez at the edge of the box, but the midfielder's shot went high and wide.

Despite being down to 10 men, United were imposing themselves on the game although they were fortunate on 62 minutes when a Quitongo goal was rulled offside.

However on the break the visitors were looking dangerous and they carved open a good chance on 74 minutes.

Substitute Mark Yardley rolled the ball to Tommy Turner at the edge of the United box, but the veteran's shot went wide of the post.

As the game grew to a close both teams left gaps as they went for a winner, but in the end the breakthrough would not come.

However, United can be more pleased with the point than their opponents who failed miserably to take advantage of their extra man.