United hitting form at just the right time

THEY’RE only a sixth of the way there but keep up that second-half performance and United might just find themselves on the brink of the Premiership.

The Tangerines couldn’t have picked a better time to grab just their second away win of the year last night at Morton in the play-off quarter-final.

After watching them in the final few games of the season proper, there’s been a feeling Ray McKinnon’s men were finding the form they showed at the start of the campaign.

Converting chances had been the problem but Simon Murray and Blair Spittal certainly had their shooting boots on last night.

Going into any play-off situation and it’s all about form — United are in the best run of all the teams taking part, including whichever Premiership team finishes 11th, and that must give them confidence.

Seven unbeaten and, if you go further back, only one defeat in their last 10 sounds like a team with plenty going for them.

Form doesn’t give teams a divine right to stroll to victory, though, and it’s unlikely Jim Duffy’s men have given up the ghost.

However, the run the Greenock side have been on — no wins since March 18 — should mean that if United get an early goal or two on Friday night, it’ll be season over for the Ton.

That’s got to be the aim at Tannadice — get after them early, grab a goal and take proper control of the tie.

Easier said than done, of course, and Morton have been a tough nut to crack for a lot of teams this season but if they can put themselves in a position where they’re looking ahead to the semi-final that’d be ideal.

Going hell for leather for another 90 minutes — and possibly extra-time — would make Falkirk heavy favourites should the Tangerines get through to the semi-final.

And with United’s home form this season, you’ve got to fancy them to get past Friday night’s game.

Follow on the superb second-half showing from last night in the return leg with a similar display and nobody will fancy playing them, Falkirk or whoever.

So, keep it up United and give yourselves a breather on Friday night — in this marathon play-offs you might just need it.

Dundee United put themselves in a strong position in the play-off quarter-finals with a fine 2-1 win at Morton last night.