Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Character saw us through says Ray
DUNDEE United boss Ray McKinnon hailed the “character” shown by his team as they held onto a 2-1 lead to beat St Mirren.
The Tangerines went clear at the top of the Championship with the victory at Tannadice after promotion rivals Hibs drew with Raith.
It certainly wasn’t plain sailing for United at home to the league’s bottom side as St Mirren piled forward in the second half looking for an equaliser.
They had taken the lead through John Sutton, pouncing on a Coll Donaldson mistake after a risky throw-in from Paul Dixon.
But the Tangerines showed their mettle by levelling a minute later through Scott Fraser and then taking the lead before the break through Simon Murray’s header.
McKinnon was delighted to see Dixon return after almost two months out and revealed his side were walking wounded as they held on to their lead late on.
He said: “We brought Paul Dixon back in on Saturday who’s not fit but we were at home and we thought this was an opportunity to get him 90 minutes.
“He was off the pace in the first half and I think that contributed a wee bit to his decision-making with the throw-in but we got a good 90 minutes into him.
“Sean Dillon hasn’t played for a long time and he’s come in on the other side and done really well for us because we’ve been missing a few players.
“For those two to come in and do well, I’m delighted for them.
“There was a few of them carrying knocks out there in the last 15, 20 minutes.
“That last 20 minutes showed the character of them right now — they don’t want to lose.”
There was concern over Mark Durnan after he had to be replaced 25 minutes into the game after a clash of heads.
It was a nasty collision with Gary Mackenzie, who also had to be replaced, in the United box.
McKinnon, though, is hopeful he’ll have his centre-back available again for Saturday’s trip to Dumbarton.
He said: “He took a really bad one, we took him off as a precaution.
“We’re hoping he’s fine for this weekend.
“It was a great header, though, he’s won it great and got cleaned out, so fair play to him. We are delighted with him.
“I’m delighted with all the boys.”