St Johnstone 1 Dundee United 1 - Rankin salutes keeper for being points saviour this season but pole could be in a position to leave Tannadice

Only three goals separated the two sides at kick-off - and again at full-time - after a Tayside derby that enthralled with its significance if not its quality.

The pivotal moment in the stalemate, and perhaps ultimately the struggle for league position, came on the stroke of half-time and involved United goalkeeper Raodoslaw Cierzniak.

The Pole announced in the build-up to the game that he is assessing his options for next season, a well-worn calling signal urging potential suitors to up the ante. His save from Dave Mackay's poorly-hit penalty was more routine than remarkable but, nonetheless, it may turn out to be the split second that earns Jackie McNamara's a passage to Europe.

"We were under the cosh in the first-half and Rado pulled us out of a hole," said John Rankin, whose rare headed goal in a more even second-half earned United a valuable point and brought a comic assessment from the diminutive midfielder afterwards.

"A few boys could have tapped that one in with their foot, but I had to jump and header it." Cierzniak has had his ups and downs this season, most notably in allowing Greg Stewart's shot to squirm past him in last month's derby defeat to Dundee. However, having made something of a habit of saving spot-kicks this season, Rankin believes the 32-year-old will be sorely missed if he does depart this summer.

"Obviously, the Dundee mistake was high-profile and he probably gets a bit of stick from supporters," he said. "But I can tell you one thing, he doesn't get any stick from the players because we know what he gives us. It is unbelievable how many points he wins us a season. I'd like to sit down and work it out because he's phenomenal.

"Sometimes when we have won a game and he's made a mistake, he's still the first to hold his hand up. He's such an honest pro and works so hard, I'm delighted to have called him a team-mate for three seasons."

If there is anything that might make the United number one hang around a bit longer on Tayside it is surely the prospect of European football.

"Hopefully we can convince him to stay," added Rankin. "There is a slight chance, although when it gets to this stage of a season and boys have not signed contracts, it is going to be difficult."

Whilst Cierzniak's intervention proved crucial, the sight of Nadir Ciftci marauding around McDiarmid Park will have caught the attention of the scouts, including one from Southampton, who were present in the main stand.

One stunning 35-yard strike in the first-half exploded out of nothing and St Johnstone were relieved to see it cannon back off the upright. The goal-frame intervened again after the interval when Robbie Muirhead's downward header from Chris Erskine's cross ricocheted back out and Rankin followed in to nod into the empty net.

With Inverness and Dundee still to face one another, victory would have given United the edge on their opponents, who have Celtic and Aberdeen left; but the lead was to last just nine minutes before Murray Davidson swept in Danny Swanson's cross with a well-placed volley.

The importance of the match was evident in the rancour that spread as full-time approached, an antipathy not eased by Ciftci's dramatic attempts to win a penalty. Rankin confessed later the Turk's habit of 'squealing' when he is fouled does not do any favours but Mackay, who took exception to what he felt was simulation and squared up to the striker, admits there is no denying his other talents.

Ultimately, however, the Saints skipper was more concerned with the lack of quality he showed in failing to convert his side's potentially key penalty.

"I think we did enough to win that game and, had my penalty gone in, we would have done," he lamented. "Brian Graham would normally have hit it, but he couldn't play [because he is on loan from Dundee United], so I fancied myself. That was a big opportunity."