It was a game in which there was little to choose from the two but the Tangerines produced a little bit of magic to take the point.
From the outset there was little to trouble either keeper as United finally produced a cutting move in the 15th minute, with a Christian Kalvenes cross being headed across goal by Craig Conway for Hunt to knock the ball in from six yards, only to be denied by the official's flag.
As the Tangerines momentum built up, Stuart Duff bounced his way passed a couple of high tackles in the 16th minute to fire in a 20-yard shot which had Tony Bullock sprawling helplessly across his goa,l then Barry Robson's cross a couple of minutes later really should have been buried by Hunt.
But despite the home side's pressure, St Mirren really should have taken the lead in the 25th minute. Shocking defending by Lee Mair gave John Sutton the opportunity to fire in a 14-yard shot which Derek Stillie did well to push around the post.
The striker almost grabbed the opener five minutes later when his quick reaction to a corner forced Hunt to hoof the ball off the line.
When United's sweeping defence pushed it in the 37th minute, Hugh Murray could have and should have headed the visitors into the lead with a straightforward eight-yard header, but he directed the ball wide.
With his team struggling United manager Craig Levein visibly showed his displeasure at his team's first-half struggle, although they did begin the second by coming close in the opening minutes when a David Robertson shot flew narrowly wide.
And on the hour mark, young defender Garry Kenneth came close, nodding down Robson's corner just past the post.
But much to the relief of a tense home support, United eventually grabbed that all important winner courtesy of a Christmas gift from the Buddies defence.
A Robson cross was headed towards goal by Robertson only to be nodded in by Hunt as two Saints defenders watched in admiration.