IT ALL POINTS TO TITLE JOY
Shankland’s winner puts Arabs aces 21 ahead of stunned rivals
DUNDEE UTD ......... 2ICT ............ 1
DUNDEE UNITED hitman Lawrence Shankland fired the club a massive step closer to the title as his magical winner dumped Inverness last night.
The striker scored his 28th goal of the season for the runaway leaders who ended their three-game winless run to move 21 points clear of second-placed Inverness.
It was left to Shankland to steal the Tannadice limelight after Caley’s Jordan White had cancelled out Louis Appere’s first-half opener.
United manager Robbie Neilson said: “With Inverness as our nearest contenders, it was a big statement. Both goals were great finishes.
“Lawrence showed the quality he has with another phenomenal touch and finish.”
Appere appeared eager to do damage from the start and saw an effort blocked. Seconds later Shankland hooked his left-foot shot high over from close-range.
But United didn’t have to wait much longer for the opener. Rakish Bingham worked his magic wide on the right before crossing to the edge of the penalty area.
Appere took a touch with his left foot and then placed it perfectly with his opposite foot low inside Mark Ridgers’ left-hand post.
Inverness were barely seen in an attacking sense although Miles Storey’s effort skidded harmlessly wide of Benjamin Siegrist’s goal.
Just after the half-hour mark Tom Walsh found some space for the Highlanders on the left and wasted no time in curling an effort towards goal which Siegrist was relieved to see curl over.
But Inverness levelled in 32 minutes when James Keatings’ inswinging corner was met by White who got the better of Mark Connolly to bullet home a header.
Before long Inverness were threatening to get their noses in front and White’s effort was deflected wide.
The second half continued the way the first had ended as Siegrist saved from Walsh.
United threw on Paul McMullan for Peter Pawlett and Ian Harkes for Dillon Powers and moments later, in the 59th minute, Shankland put them back in front.
Bingham’s precise delivery into the box was met by United’s talisman waiting to pounce. Shankland got the ball under control, steadied himself, and lashed a low, left-foot drive outwith the reach of Ridgers.
That proved enough for the Taysiders who held on despite a late fright when Carl Tremarco hit the side-netting in the dying minutes.
Inverness manager John Robertson said: “It’s a bit like Groundhog Day in the matches against United this season. There have been spells when we’ve been on top but haven’t capitalised.
“So that’s where you have to congratulate United and that’s what’s going to make them worthy champions.”