Utd can lay new marker in run up to Christmas

immediate lift, while young wideman Matty Smith also got on but only for the final few minutes.

That means it will be a fresh and confident side who face the Bairns and, if they secure a third Championship win on the bounce, things will be looking good for United.

After it, they finish the month with a trip to Brechin that should yield another three points, though nothing in this l eague can be taken for granted, then head into a December that will be challenging.

It will also provide the opportunity to show they are indeed the top team in the division.

Between facing Brechin to end the month and playing them again as New Year visitors on January 2, Laszlo will lead his team against all the other sides currently sitting in the top six.

Emerge from that run with a positive points return and it’s hard to imagine United will be anywhere other than in top spot. It is, though, going to be a time when resources will be tested.

Over such a busy schedule injuries are likely to kick in and, at this point of the campaign, suspensions can also have an impact.

It’s why the manager would have liked to have seen several of those involved on Saturday showing up well and staking a claim for a place in the league team.

With the exception of Fraser Fyvie, none of the fringe men on show did that. It’s why the manager was right to be disappointed.

Csaba Laszlo saw his fringe men slip up against Crusaders.