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St Johnstone boosted their chance of a European spot with their second win over Dundee in fortnight, which moved them up to fourth in the Premiership.

Danny Swanson's second goal of the season gave the visitors the opener early in the second half.

Shortly after Dundee had striker Greg Stewart sent off, David Wotherspoon's shot deflected off Iain Davidson to increase Saints' lead.

The Perth side move above Dundee United, who face Celtic on Sunday.

Tommy Wright's men are now four points below Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who occupy the final Europa League play-off place, and two above United.

And, if Caley Thistle win the Scottish Cup final against Falkirk, fourth place will secure European football next season.

Swanson had returned to the Saints starting line-up and came close early on. After a clever nutmeg on Kevin Thomson at the left edge of the box Swanson curled a right foot strike just over the bar.

Miller was next to try his luck for the visitors as the home side failed to clear a corner kick. The full-back's volley looked goal bound until it was blocked by Thomas Konrad.

Dundee and Saints were meeting for the final time this season

Saints had the better of the early period and it took Dundee until just after the half-hour mark before they forced Alan Mannus into a save.

Paul McGowan was the Dundee player who fired in a shot which took a wicked deflection and the goalkeeper had to stretch high to tip over.

That seemed to give the Dens Park men a lift and Greg Stewart sent in a driven cross which found no takers.

Paul McGinn then swung in a cross which Paul Heffernan failed to convert at the front post and Jim McAlister had a header comfortably saved by Mannus.

Dundee brought Iain Davidson to replace Konrad at the interval and he was called into action to show his defensive skills pretty quickly.

First he thwarted Brian Graham inside the box and then he cleared a Swanson cross at the front post.

But St Johnstone made the breakthrough courtesy of Swanson's terrific strike.

Dundee were reduced to 10 men when Stewart was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card.

Stewart's second booking was for simulation

Having been booked for a foul on Murray Davidson in the first half referee Craig Thomson gave the PFA Scotland player of the year nominee a second yellow for simulation after a challenge from Wright.

Chris Millar then fired an effort just wide of the target from 20 yards as the Perth side looked to utilise their one-man advantage.

However, Saints increased their lead when a Wotherspoon left-foot shot struck Davidson, who in his attempt to block diverted it into his own net.