However, the game is all about scoring goals, and if there was any criticism of Saints, it was their inability to take advantage of the numerous chances created.
Despite their manager's pre-match warnings Dundee got off to the worst possible start, trailing after two minutes when Darren Sheridan's cross was steered into his own net via the head of Robert Mann.
It could have been much worse for the Dees. As in the opening 15 minutes, amidst jeering from the home fans, the visitors strolled around the park looking as if they vould score at will.
With four minutes on the clock, Stephen Dobbie should have made it two, but when clean through he slid the ball off the diving Derek Soutar, with John Henry's follow up wonderfully blocked by Mann.
Then another inviting cross five minutes later was watched by the Dees as Ryan Stevenson thundered his header off the face of the bar.
But totally against the run of play, the Dees were given an 18th-minute lifeline when Simon Lynch was upended by keeper Kevin Cuthbert and despite a theatrical dive, he was given the penalty. Lynch converted himself, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Despite Saints' continued pressure, the hosts spurned a great chance in the 30th minute when Tom McManus was given acres of space to run at Cuthbert, but as he rounded the keeper he gave himself too acute an angle and again, the fans jeered.
A slower paced second period saw more quality in play, although Saints had two good chances to grab the lead in the opening 15 minutes.
On both occasions man of the match Soutar made excellent blocks, when Steve Milne and Dobbie were one on one with the keeper.
And then came that crucial moment in the 73rd minute when, out of the blue, McManus grabbed the winner.
A long drifting ball from Garry Brady caught the square Saints defence out and with Cuthbert in no man's land, the striker headed over the on-rushing keeper from 14 yards.
Sadly for Cuthbert, McManus caught him and the collision left the keeper to be stretchered off with concussion, and Saints with 10 men and broken hearts.