The game burst into life just before halftime when St Johnstone took the lead - United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak getting caught out of position from a corner and Anderson heading in from close range.
A lively second half saw United come agonisingly close to equalising when Nadir Ciftci's clipped free kick bounced down off the crossbar and somehow stayed out despite hitting the back of grounded keeper Alan Mannus.
Minutes later Stevie May appeared to have made it 2-0 to the Saints but after seeing his initial effort stopped on the line by Cierzniak he clearly turned in the rebound with his arm.
St Johnstone sat deep to defend their lead in the closing stages but sealed victory when MacLean slid in to bundle home their second goal with five minutes left.
(Writing by Martyn Herman; editing by Toby Davis)
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