Thomas Mikks the difference
THOMAS MIKKELSEN fired Dundee United to within touching distance of second-top Falkirk with a vital winner against Dunfermline last night.
The Dane struck on the half-hour mark to ensure his side leapfrogged Morton into third place in the table, and leave them breathing down Falkirk’s necks.
Delighted United boss Ray McKinnon who feels his side can now have a 100 per cent record until the end of the season, said: “It’s a big three points, no doubt. We wanted them, we got them and we deserved them.
“We make it hard for ourselves at times and ideally it wouldn’t be so nervous in the last 10 minutes.
“The objective is to finish as high as we can – and we’re capable of winning every game between now and the end of the season.”
The game started brightly enough but it took until midway through the first half for the first chance. United’s Tony Andreu sent Simon Murray through but the striker poked his shot past Sean Murdoch’s near post.
But on 30 minutes the hosts went ahead. Stewart Murdoch set up Murray who crossed to Mikkelsen and he prodded the ball into the net from close range.
United went in search of another and Blair Spittal and Murray both went close.
Dunfermline hadn’t been seen as an attacking force but on half-time Nicky Clark had an effort bravely blocked by William Edjenguele.
Within seconds of the restart United were on the offensive again. Spittal was through on goal but Pars keeper Murdoch raced off his line to thwart him. At the other end Michael Moffat was just inches away from a Kallum Higginbotham cross.
Andreu then let fly from 22 yards only to see his effort strike the post.
Dunfermline’s Paul McMullan was lucky to escape a yellow card for a late tackle on Spittal before United sub Nick van der Velden spurned a late chance.
Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston said: “We’re disappointed but I didn’t think there was that much between the teams on the night.
“I can’t complain about the effort but sometimes it’s about finding that wee bit of quality in the final third.”
Bell 6, Durnan 6, Spittal 7 (Van Der Velden 78, 1), Murdoch 7, Murray 6, Edjenguele 6, Flood 6, Mikkelsen 7 (Coote 86, 1), Andreu 7, Robson 6, Allardice 6 (Toshney 69, 2). Not used – Kuate, Dixon, Telfer, Zwick.
DUNDEE UTD – DUNFERMLINE –
Murdoch 6 , Talbot 6, Geggan 6 (Williamson 65, 3), Wedderburn 6, Moffat 6 (Reilly 65, 2), Ashcroft 5, McCabe 6, McMullan 6 (Cardle 77, 1), Higginbotham 6, Morris 6, Clark 6. Not used – Martin, Paton, Spence, Hutton.
Willie Collum.
Referee: