Csaba is left scratching his head as United watch lead slip

MANAGER Csaba Laszlo was at a loss to explain Dundee United’s failure to win on Saturday when, as far as he was concerned, opponents Morton didn’t even register a single shot on target.

The Tangerines looked to have secured a much-needed victory until a Frank Ross corner was deflected into his own net by Billy King three minutes into injury time.

The official match stats credited the goal to kick-taker Ross, but the Tangerines were in no doubt they’d shot themselves in the foot.

“You control the game, create a lot of chances and you score the first goal. You are already thinking in stoppage time you have the points, so to score an own goal is very painful,” said an incredulous Csaba.

With no Morton player making a strong challenge to get to Ross’s kick, Csaba simply could not understand how the ball ended up in the net.

“You had three players there. Billy King, behind him is Anthony Ralston, behind him is the goalkeeper and I don’t know how from there they have scored,” he added.

“So again we are explaining why we did not win when for 94 minutes we are the boss on the field.

“We do everything correctly and if the opponent scores a goal it is very painful, but to score an own goal from nothing and no danger, this is not easy to take.”

Csaba did take heart from the improved performance and admitted until the late sucker punch there was not much he could criticise his players for.

The result, though, means United have dropped out of the play-off places and he knows wins have to come, and quickly, to get them back up where they need to be.

“Bilel Mohsni gave us confidence and stability at the back and even scored the goal with a nice header.

“Definitely he is the player we needed to come in at this time.

“Paul McMullan did a good job up front and everybody has played well.

“There were no shots from Morton, but we still did not win.

“Now we have Dumbarton and we must win, definitely. This is very important.”

United are likely to have Tam Scobbie back in contention for tomorrow’s visit of the Sons after injury.