United 1 Inverness CT 0

After dropping points in the closing minutes of the game away to Falkirk, Neilson made two changes to United’s starting line-up bringing on Reynolds and McMullan. United dominated the game for the first 70 minutes and a penalty taken by Nicky Clark secured them the three points, which took them three points ahead of Ayr United. 

By Alasdair Marnoch

First Half: United started the game strongly with the first chance of the game falling to McMullan in the 4th minute who burst into the box, passing the ball to Pawlett who fired it just over the cross bar whilst being under pressure by the Caley defence.

Just minutes later Charlie Seaman made his way into box with his effort shooting across the face of the goal, going inches wide of the post. United had their third chance of the game within the first ten minutes, but Nicky Clark’s touch from the back post wasn’t enough to get Harkes’s cross into the back of the net.

A scramble in Caley’s box resulted in the away keeper needing to pull off a brave save which tipped Clark’s close range shot onto the crossbar and back into play to no avail to the United strike force.

Inverness had their first chance on goal in the 19th minute with Polworth attempting to pass the ball through to Austin but Siegrist collected the ball easily enough.

After a quiet ten-minute period, Thistle were awarded a free kick 30 yards out, with Reynolds being put in the book in the process. Polworth floated the ball into the box for Donaldson who headed the ball into the shed.

Pawlett brought the Eddie Thompson stand to its feet in the 35th minute as he blocked the keeper’s clearance, but he blasted his shot just wide of the goal.

United ended the first half dominantly with chances from Safranko and Pawlett but the game remained nil nil. 

Second Half: United pulled the trigger first once again as Clark gave himself the opportunity to open the score line in the opening minute of the second half, but his shot went straight into the arms of Inverness’s keeper. 

Five minutes later, Charlie Seaman crossed the ball into the box, but no one was there to convert his delivery into a goal. 

As the hour mark approached, confusion in United’s box allowed Caley’s captain Sean Welsh to claim a shot on target. Fortunately, Harkes cleared the ball off the goal line from the back post. 

After another scrappy passage of play, Pawlett was recklessly taken down in Caley’s box. The referee awarded United a penalty, which Clark fired into the back of the net giving United the lead in the game for the first time on the 62nd minute.

In what had been a relatively scrappy game, Pawlett was shown red with 20 minutes remaining after receiving a 2nd yellow card after a tackle on Caley’s left back Kevin McHattie.

Inverness sought to take advantage of having the extra man with two attempts on goal in quick succession as the final ten minutes approached, but United defended well as the game came to a close and hung on to their one nil lead. 

Summary: United were dominant throughout the game and were unlucky to not have converted more of their opportunities in the first half. United defended well after the sending off in the 70th minute and managed to keep a hold of the three points. 

Man of the Match: Mark Connolly defended well and was solid at the back in the final 20 minutes of the game when Inverness had the man advantage.

Dundee United: Siegrist, McMullan (Nesbitt, 59’), Clark (Gomis, 78’), Safranko, Robson, Butcher, Reynolds (c), Harkes, Seaman (Watson, 84’), Pawlett, Connolly

Subs not used: Laidlaw (GK), Fyvie, Sow, Nesbitt, C Smith 

Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Ridgers, Rooney, Chalmers (MacKay, 90 +1), Donaldson, Polworth, Austin, Welsh (c), White, McKay, Trafford (McCauley, 82’), McHattie (Doran, 76’)

Subs not used: MacKay (GK), Termarco, McCart, MacGregor

Referee: Barry Cook

Attendance: 4737