Toothless Final ball costs Arabs the win but they stay in Championship pack

PLAYERRATINGS

AFTER heavy defeat to St Mirren and snatching a late draw from the jaws of defeat against part-time Dumbarton, an improved performance away to lowly Falkirk should be seen as a success. Not least because Dundee United haven’t lost any ground in the title race.

Ray McKinnon’s men were clearly gunning for maximum points, that was evident in their helter-skelter approach to the match, but a clean sheet away from home should not be sniffed at.

United were solid against a Falkirk side whose second-bottom position belies their ability.

However, they stuggled to find the final ball to break down the Bairns’ backline and that’s what cost the Arabs in the end.

For all their good link-up play through the middle, with Fraser Fyvie and Jordie Briels combining nicely, the service to makeshift strikeforce Scott McDonald and Paul McMullan was too often one pass from perfection.

McDonald came close with a flying header in the first-half, and after James Keatings’ introduction in the second 45, McMullan moved out wide and was able to rattle a cross-come-shot off Robbie Thomson’s right-hand post.

When they did break through, the men in Tangerine were profligant and toothless in front of goal, without creating anything clear cut.

Decision-making in the final third from wingers Billy King and Sam Stanton left a lot to be desired.

However, it must be said, Stanton is far more effective driving through the middle of the pitch.

At the back, goalkeeper Harry Lewis was barely troubled. The young Southampton l oanee dealt with everything that came his way, including seven corner-kicks, and a Craig Sibbald header — which he kept out with a fantastic finger-tip save.

William Edjenguele, who replaced an injured Paul Quinn after 10 minutes, and Mark Durnan were steady at the back while full-backs Lewis Toshney and Jamie Robson offered more of an outlet than the men in front of them for United to get forward down the flanks.

Toshney, who was making his first league appearance since the season opener up in Inverness, was terrific for the visitors.

He was calm and composed at the back and kept things simple. When he went forward he linked well with those in front of him and picked out a couple of lovely passes.

The verstalie defender’s return to form and fitness is a boost for United.

Another pick-me-up for the 910-strong travelling support from a slightly disappointing result was the performance of Dutch midfielder Briels.

The 25-year-old has found first-team opportunities hard to come by since signing from Fortuna Sittard in the summer but has impressed as a stand-in right-back.

However, he excelled in his favoured central-midfield berth on Saturday, partnering Fyvie well and looking tidy on the ball.

With Dunfermline beating St Mirren, United are still just two points off the Championship summit. They’ll get another bite at the cherry as Morton visit Tannadice on Saturday.