Dundee United continued its fine start to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season by recording an ultimately convincing victory over 10-man St Mirren at Tannadice.
United opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Jordan Robertson's shot deflected off Franco Miranda into the path of Noel Hunt, who rounded goalkeeper Chris Smith to score.
Miranda's afternoon then went from bad to worse as he received cautions for fouls on Hunt and Barry Robson, and was dismissed midway through the second half, just before Robertson scored United's second by flicking in a cross from substitute Steven Robb.
United started in positive fashion and created the first chance inside 20 seconds thanks to the strong running of Willo Flood.
After taking control of the ball, Flood surged through St Mirren's half and upon entering the penalty area forced a good save from visiting goalkeeper Chris Smith.
But that moment of excitement proved to be a false dawn as it took a further 12 minutes for another opportunity to arrive.
This time Flood was the provider in delivering a good cross to the back post, where it was met by the leaping Hunt who directed a header over the bar.
Influential United captain Robson then made his presence felt as he drove down the left flank and sent in a cross which was headed wide by Robertson.
However, with neither team doing a satisfactory job of maintaining possession, genuine goalscoring opportunities remained at a premium.
That said, when their next chance arrived United opened the scoring, albeit in rather fortunate circumstances.
Robertson's shot from 20 yards found Hunt via Miranda and the striker side-stepped the stranded Smith before casually rolling the ball into the gaping net.
Ten minutes after the restart, a late sliding challenge by Christian Kalvenes on David van Zanten gave St Mirren a free-kick 10 yards from the United bye-line on the right wing.
Miranda's subsequent delivery was well dealt with by the United rearguard, but when the ball found its way back to Van Zanten, he sent a deep cross into the home penalty area.
The ball was gathered at the back post by Hugh Murray and from his pass, Stewart Kean curled an effort wide of Grzegorz Szamotulski's far post.
Any hopes St Mirren had of getting back in the game were made extremely difficult in the 67th minute though, when Miranda received his second caution of the game and was sent off.
Then, within a minute, Robb's low cross was met at the near post by Robertson, who with an intelligent prod of his foot doubled United's advantage.
St Mirren was reeling at this stage and in the 71st minute, Hunt should have scored his second of the match.
Flood played his fellow Irishman through on goal but after rounding Smith, Hunt could only blast the ball over the crossbar with two St Mirren defenders desperately trying to get back on the goal-line.
From the next attack, United then hit the post through Robb as he latched on to a well weighted through-ball from Prince Buaben, while the Ghanaian midfielder soon saw a long-range drive well saved by Smith.
There was still time for the hosts to again hit the woodwork as Robb managed to connect with a deep Hunt cross and his volley clipped the top of the bar on its way over.
But United had to settle with only a two-goal win as they moved up to third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Scottish Premier League
Dundee United 2 (Hunt 38, Robertson 68)
St Mirren 0