THE road to Parkhead came to an end in Dundee for St Mirren yesterday afternoon.

After seeing several of their Premiership peers tumble out of the William Hill Scottish Cup, hopes had risen among the Buddies' ranks that this could be their year to land our most prestigious knockout silverware.

Those dreams were killed off on Tayside as they crashed out to Dundee United, the 2-1 victory for the Arabs a deserved reward for a polished performance that saw them set up a quarter-final clash with Inverness Caley Thistle or Stranraer.

Danny Lennon's side had levelled in the first half but they never looked like overcoming their top-flight rivals as their cup ambitions were quashed for another season.

Lennon said: "There were a few players today that certainly didn't hit the levels that we know they can.

"Unfortunately for us, in such a wonderful cup competition, with its history and heritage of it, you don't get a second opportunity. Prior to ourselves and Dundee United going into the game, you look at it and you see what a wonderful opportunity it was. The draw reflects that again."

After a frantic start that saw Steven Thompson and Stuart Armstrong both try their luck, it was Jackie McNamara's side who took the lead as two of their attacking stars combined to slice through the Saints rearguard.

Nadir Ciftci left new Buddies star Eric Djemba-Djemba ­trailing in his wake as he drove to the byeline and it was Ryan Gauld who would get the decisive touch to divert the ball beyond keeper Marian Kello.

The Paisley shot-stopper would later save from Gary Mackay-Steven and make a fantastic stop to block a Ciftci header but it was at the other end where the net would ripple for the second time of the day as the Saints netted from the spot.

Kenny McLean was fouled as he burst into the area and the young midfielder cooly slotted home, sending Radoslaw ­Cierzniak the wrong way to pull Lennon's side level midway through a combative, entertaining first half.

After the break it was United who started the brightest as they regained the lead.

Ciftci this time provided the finishing touch as he nodded home at the back post to put Jackie McNamara's side in control of the tie.

It was a grip they scarcely looked like relinquishing as they flooded forwarded in search of the goal to kill off any lingering aspirations of a Saints comeback, with a McLean free kick that was saved by Cierzniak one of the few moments of respite for the Buddies backline.

LENNON turned to Gary Teale for inspiration as the clock ticked down, the former Scotland international replacing Djemba-Djemba to make a long-awaited return to the side after a lengthy injury lay-off.

But there was to be no hero for the Saints as their cup dreams came to a premature conclusion, leaving them to ­focus on the battle for top-flight survival.

Lennon said of his debutant: "I was happy with Eric. In the first 15, 20 minutes, he was trying to find his feet and get into the game.

"You can see the experience and knowledge he has got and he has got lovely soft feet.

"Him and Jim Goodwin, from about five minutes before we scored until half-time, I thought they dominated in terms of possession and that is something I want to see more frequently."