MATCH REPORT: ALLOA (H)

United’s winning streak continues on a freezing night at Tannadice that sees the Tangerines move to within three pointd behind leaders Ayr.

By Tommy McKay

Robbie Neilson's men went into tonight’s game on the back of an impressive away win at Ross County last time out.  The manager made three changes to the side that beat County with Booth, Clark and Rabitsch coming into the side and Frans replacing Barton on the bench.

After a week of receiving the plaudits for that display, the manager was swift to point out that the win at County would count for nothing if United didn’t back up that performance with a win tonight.  As if to confirm the manager's statement, Alloa took a shock lead on 17 minutes.

After a strong run into the box by Zanatta was stopped by Watson, the referee pointed to the spot.  Up stepped Trouten to send Siegrist the wrong way and give Alloa the lead.

That shock lead was to last just a minute as a terrific response for the Tangerines saw them claw level almost immediately.  An excellent ball into the box from Booth found no takers but Aird did well to keep the ball in play and his pass from the bye line found Nicky Clark who smashed it home further enhancing his poacher reputation.

Two minutes later and Neilson's men were ahead.  Aird’s corner was headed onto the outside of the post by Bouhenna but referee Kirkland demanded it be retaken as he was still in the process of booking Alloa’s Robertson for dissent.  The retaken corner was headed home by top scorer Safranko.

On 35 minutes United were further ahead thanks to that man Aird.  McMullan collected the ball on the half way line and drove at the Alloa defence, just as he was about to pull the trigger he was upended in the box by Hetherington and referee Steven Kirkland pointed to the spot for the second time.  Fraser Aird demanded the ball and fired the ball into the top left-hand corner to give Parry absolutely no chance.

United were flying at this point but any thoughts of a rout were swiftly halted by Alloa’s second goal just three minutes later.  Bouhenna was adjudged to have committed a foul 25 yards out just left of centre. Up stepped Flanagan and his unstoppable free kick made it 3-2.

That was the last of the action in a frantic first half. 

Into the second half and Aird again with another great delivery found Clark whose glancing header from the penalty spot looked net bound until Parry got down swiftly to turn the ball round the post for a corner.  

United’s lead was a slender one and Alloa will feel that they should have equalised on 69 minutes.  Zanatta’s run from deep kept him onside and as he was bearing down on Siegrist’s goal but a fantastic tackle from Edjenguele ensured he could not get a shot off.

On 77 minutes Aird had a chance to put the game to bed.  A swift counter attack saw Clark feed Aird however his shot flew high over the bar.

United finally put the game to bed on 85 minutes.  Another counter attack from United saw Stanton feed substitute Curran who smashed home from 14 yards.  That goal finally knocked the fight out of a spirited Alloa side and ensured that United finished the night just three points behind leaders Ayr United going into next Friday’s game at Tannadice.

Ross County, who are a point behind United in third, play their game in hand at home to Dunfermline but should Neilson's men win next then they could be finishing the month of November joint top of the league.

Man of the Match: Fraser Aird – Bouhenna, Stanton, Safranko all would have been worthy winners but thanks to his goal and his excellent deliveries Fraser Aird edges it tonight.

Dundee United: Siegrist, Watson, Bouhenna, Edjenguele, Booth, Aird (Curran), Stanton, Rabitsch (Murdoch), McMullan (King), Clark, Safranko Subs: Frans, Smith, Robson, Rakovan

Alloa Athletic: Parry, Taggart, Graham, Roscoe, Dick, Flannigan, Robertson (Cawley), Trouten, Hetherington (Shields), Hastie, Zanatta Subs: Spence, Burt, Brown, Aloulou, Henry

Referee: Steven Kirkland

Attendance: 4201