United 1 Queen Of The South 2

Despite dominating the game, United couldn't convert the chances to secure a win at Tannadice today. 

By Gordon Aitchison 

Robbie Neilson made two changes to the starting eleven from the team that beat Dunfermline on Tuesday at East End Park. Match winner Peter Pawlett and Ian Harkes made way for Nicky Clark and Sam Stanton, suggesting a more attacking approach to the game. United come into the game knowing that three points and things going their way in Alloa would result in them sitting top of the table come five o’clock.  

Queen of the South, looking for a first win in eight league games, made five changes, Jack Leighfield, replacing injured first choice keeper Martin, Marshall, McGrath, Maguire and Todd all coming into the side following their latest defeat away to Inverness. Returning to Tannadice on and off the field were Laurie Ellis, recently signed as assistant to manager Gary Naismith and Deniz Mehmet taking his place on the bench having signed a short term deal to provide cover for the injured Martin.

The Doonhamers started the game well, hemming United in their own half for the first five minutes, without troubling the United defence it has to be said. The game sparked into life on nine minutes as United began to pressure the Queens defence, Clark and Safranko having goal bound efforts blocked in quick succession. Todd had a shot for the visitors shortly after, but the sting was taken off it by Booth and Siegrist saved with ease. United should have been ahead on twelve minutes, sparkling play down the right by McMullan saw a creative one two with Stanton leave him bearing on goal. His powerful drive was blocked on the line by the keeper and it looked like a tap in for Safranko, but Leighfield stuck out an arm to stop United scoring. 

Stanton was next to have a go but it was high and wide before Safranko met a Robson corner well, heading towards the far post, however Marshall did well to clear the ball off the line. Not to be outdone, Stephen Dobbie tested the United keeper after a clever touch allowed him space to drive in a powerful effort. At the other end there were shouts for a United penalty but Michael Doyle did well to chest away a Booth drive that was on target. Another effort from distance was well saved as United piled on the pressure.

Lyndon Dykes posterior was the next barrier to a United opener as McMullan's shot cannoned off the Queens midfielder. United fans had their hearts in their mouth ten minutes before the break as Siegrist came to deal with a through ball, his chested pass to Reynolds was off the mark and allowed Stirling a shot on an empty goal but he rushed his effort and it trickled past the post. United closed the half well on top and would have deserved a half time lead, however it was not to be.

Half Time: United 0 - 0 Queen of the South

United started the second half pressuring the Queen of the South defence. Clark was put in by a Safranko head flick but his effort was well saved by Leighfield, Safranko’s follow up effort was blocked by McGuire. United were hit by a sucker punch on fifty two minutes, Dobbie dispossessed Stanton 40 yards from goal, before playing a one two which left him clean through on goal. The slightest of touches by McMullan allowed the striker to go to ground and Alan Muir pointed to the spot. The league's second top scorer sent Siegrist the wrong way to open the scoring.

Immediately United had the chance to equalise but an incident that would sum up the Tangerines day saw them stay a goal down. A Robson cross was well met by Safranko and his goal bound header got the slightest of touches, onto the post by the keeper, the rebounding ball then struck the back of Leighfield back and looked to be rolling into the net, but went wide of the post.

Straight up the other end a cheeky back heel flick sent Dykes clear on goal, he made no mistake smashing it through Benji Siegrist's legs to give United a mountain to climb. Neilson brought on Pawlett and Harkes for Stanton and Seaman as they tried to get into the game. Possession was all United’s but a combination of bad luck and poor finishing left them chasing the game. Hopes were raised on seventy minutes, Nicky Clark's excellent header finally breaching the Queens rear guard and United launched an all out assault to gain an equaliser. It was not to be however as they pressed, but Clark and Safranko had chances, chiefly Safranko who on another day would have scored three or four goals.

Full Time: United 1-2 Queen of the South 

Summary: Most will wonder how United did not win this game, simply looking at the stats does not tell the full story though. Sixteen attempts at goal combined with fifteen corners shows how dominant United were but it is goals that win points and today they came up short. This could be a red letter day as leaders Ross County lost at Alloa, United could have been top of the table. 

Man of the Match: Calum Butcher, again impressed with is energy and fight. 

Dundee United: Siegrist, Booth, McMullan, Clark, Stanton ( Pawlett 60), Safranko, Robson, Butcher, Bouhenna, Reynolds (c), Seaman (Harkes 67)

Unused Subs: Laidlaw, Five, Gomis, Nesbitt, Graham

Queen of the South: Leighfield, Mercer, Marshall, Doyle, Stirling, Jacobs, Todd (Brownlie 83), Dobbie (c) (Murray 88), McGrath (Wilson 74), Dykes, Maguire

Unused Subs: Deniz, Fordyce, Ivison, Irving 

Referee: Alan Muir