Bairns peg Promotion hopes intact despite a frustrating afternoon for Terrors

PLAYERRATINGS

ON a weekend of sporting excellence that can boast The Masters and The Grand National, what was billed as a critically significant clash between Dundee United and Falkirk will not live long in the memory.

A sun-soaked Tannadice welcomed Peter Houston’s Bairns with the pressure cranked high for United, having taken only three points from the last four games and with cause for concern having already shipped six goals to the visitors over three encounters this term.

A less-fancied United side were buoyed by the return of some key names, as injury doubts Cammy Bell, Willo Flood and Thomas Mikkelsen all lined up from the start.

Any feeling of confidence appeared to be quickly dampened from kick-off when United got off to an all-toofamiliar slow start.

The game was packed in the early stages — neither side could successfully string more than a couple of passes together before things went aerial, much to the sufferance of the 6,313 i n attendance.

However, the home side showed far more of an interest than their visitors and Simon Murray was unlucky not to have a goal and an assist to his name as he ran Canada international Luca Gasparatto ragged.

Despite the clash sticking out as something of a frustrated spectacle, there were a flurry of chances for both teams and, in the first half alone, either keeper could have staked his claim for the Man- of-the-Match award.

Falkirk’s Robbie Thomson coped well with the United threat, while Bell reiterated his importance to the team with a string of key saves.

As the referee checked his watch before reaching for the whistle, United nearly found themselves caught out by the Falkirk long ball — former Dee John Baird and strike partner Robert McHugh did well to hold up and run in behind throughout the first period.

The half-time tangerine clearly did the trick as the namesakes came out quickly in the second half, and it wasn’t long before they took a deserved lead.

Murray gambled on a drilled clearance from defence and found himself in space on the left, from where he slipped into the box and slotted past Thomson with ease.

A mere 90 seconds had passed before the local lad was in again, this time sweeping a half-volley past Thomson from 12 yards, denied by a matter of inches as the post came to the rescue for the visitors.

As has often been the case this season, United were left ruing missed chances when, seven minutes from time, Falkirk levelled. Substitute James Craigen delivered a sterling ball for Luke Leahy to head in, uncontested.

Then, as the digits were tapped into the added time board, United hearts fluttered as Craig Sibbald cut back for Scott Shepherd, whose clipped effort smacked off the post.

That narrow escape for the hosts ensured a share of the spoils. Despite arguably expecting more, Ray McKinnon will be reassured that his side are indeed equipped to deal with the Bairns should the pair meet in the play-offs.

The end result was a tough one for United to swallow, the only winners on the day being the upright and anyone looking to get a tan.