DUNDEE United continued their recent revival with a determined victory over Inverness. Craig Levein's side have now won four in a row and are starting to display consistently two characteristics which bode well for their future, being both solid in defence and dangerous in attack.
True, Caley staged something of a late fightback, but there was no mistaking the fact this was a deserved success for United, who have now climbed into the top half of the Premier League, after a stuttering start to the season.
"If we hadn't won,
it would have been a real injustice," said Levein. "We missed a hatful of chances, sometimes because of poor finishing and sometimes because of great defending and bad luck."
United were certainly aggrieved by Iain Brines' decision not to award a penalty when Willo Flood's cross looked to have been handled by Richard Hastings. Brines appeared to signal that the handball should not be penalised as Hastings had held his arm by his side, much to the astonishment of the men in tangerine.
It was the kind of decision which would certainly have come under great scrutiny in the immediate post-match analysis had United failed to clinch the points.
Undeterred, the home side pressed forward and Inverness goalkeeper Michael Fraser magnificently pushed away a Daly header before Jamie Duff cleared an effort from Darren Dods off the goal-line.
Roy McBain fluffed a golden opportunity for Caley by dragging his close-range shot wide before United's pressure finally told.
Sean Dillon's first-time cross was met powerfully by Daly, who sent a firm header into Fraser's bottom corner.
Eager to finish the contest, United pressed on and striker Francisco Sandaza headed Craig Conway's cross narrowly wide moments after the interval. The energetic Flood then earned himself a sight of goal and tested Fraser from 20 yards.
United's second arrived when Wilkie applied the finishing touch after Paul Dixon's surging run and cross from left back, the captain's header finding the back of the net via the crossbar.
A two-goal lead can be dangerous for any side, though. Lose a goal and the momentum can swing firmly towards your opponents.
With their hosts perhaps content with their advantage, Caley attempted to tip the balance and United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska thwarted Barry Wilson with an outstanding save at full stretch.
Andrew Barrowman then headed against a post before Ross Tokely mis-hit his shot in front of goal and Adam Rooney was flagged offside as he nodded past Zaluska.
But there would be no comeback and Danny Swanson almost added a third for United, first with a dipping long-range effort Fraser tipped over and then with a low drive having slalomed his way into the Caley penalty area which was again kept out by the goalkeeper.
With only seconds remaining, the visitors did pull a goal back when Wilkie deflected a Wilson corner into his own net, ending United's hopes of a fourth successive clean sheet but providing the visitors with nothing more than meagre consolation.
"We slowly came back into it and had a strong finish. Maybe if we'd had another five minutes we might have had a chance," said Caley manager Craig Brewster. "I thought my players were superb, but just for that 20-minute spell, United dominated. When it's one, you always have a chance but at 2-0, it's a big task."
Securing the victory that moved United into the top six more than made up for his own goal, and Wilkie is determined the team will continue to improve. "That was our aim right from the start of the season, to be pushing up there," he said.
"We never got a great start, but we always had confidence that, with the players we have, we would be up there. I think we have proved we are a good side but there is still plenty to come. I think we are still improving – it's a long season."
MAN OF THE MATCH
John Daly (Dundee United)The striker edges out Scott Robertson and Paul Dixon with a fine performance and goal which sent United on their way to victory.
The full article contains 709 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
