DIXON DELIVERS
United make the Play-off final as Bairns suffer late agony
WHEN the pain of failure is so excruciatingly acute, you are left with two choices. Crawl into a darkened room and mope in self-pity. Or climb back into the saddle, grit the teeth and go again. Dundee United, commendably, chose the latter.
One year after the humiliation of being relegated at the hands of rivals Dundee, Paul Dixon’s late winner earned Ray McKinnon’s side a golden shot at redemption.
Either Inverness or Hamilton now stand between them and a return to the top flight after the longest of years. For all the Premiership team has traditionally held the upper hand in such affairs, whoever finishes 11th today will need no warning that the wind is now back in the sails of the Tayside club.
The sense of grievance that United doubtless still harbour from that dark night at Dens Park last year may also prove a formidable weapon.
Without question, they deserve the opportunity that is now in their hands. They fought back from conceding James Craigen’s opening goal to level through Simon Murray and went on to win it in the most dramatic fashion through Dixon’s late header.
For Falkirk, the horror of an eighth season in the Championship will take some time to come to terms with. Another summer of rebuilding awaits.
An injury to defender Peter Grant forced Peter Houston to draft in Paul Watson, with the Falkirk manager also electing to play John Baird ahead of Lee Miller up front.
McKinnon also made two changes, with Dixon displacing Jamie Robson and Sean Dillon taking Stewart Murdoch’s berth.
A pulsating first leg had left the tie perfectly poised, but the six goals the Bairns had put past United in the two league games at their own stadium had the home fans in expectant mood.
But it was United who started the stronger. Murray’s cross from the right was headed down by Thomas Mikkelsen into the path of Tony Andreu. Alas for the visitors, his volley lacked purchase and direction.
Falkirk’s response was admirable. Nathan Austin’s pace and hunger in the channels won a couple of corners, which raised the decibel levels among the home throngs. The noise elevated their favourites to a new level.
The opening goal was an absolute peach. Joe McKee, the scorer of another special strike at Tannadice, derived much credit for his intelligent ball into Baird’s feet.
The striker held the ball up perfectly, then caressed it into Craigen’s path. The first-time finish from 16 yards was wondrous, the ball crashing in off the inside of the far post.
For all United created a few half-chances, Bairns goalkeeper Robbie Thomson remained largely untroubled. Dixon’s excellent cross from the left hung up perfectly for Mikkelsen. The Dane’s failure to hit the target with a header from seven yards was inexcusable.
An indifferent first period for McKinnon’s side was rather summed up by Murray’s awkward attempt to convert Andreu’s cross. Despite having ample time and space, it cannoned off his shin for a goal-kick.
The untidy pattern continued when Dillon played Andreu into trouble with a pass from deep. Craig Sibbald picked the Frenchman’s pocket but dragged his shot beyond the far post.
United restarted like they meant business. William Edjenguele had the ball in the net only for Kevin Clancy to penalise Mikkelsen for an alleged foul on Watson.
Murray’s mazy run and cut-back then picked out Andreu. The attacker ought to have done more than put the ball the wrong side of the post from six yards.
Murray did better just seconds later. He met Dillon’s cross flush, only for Thomson to clutch the ball to his chest.
Craigen came within a whisker of relieving the mounting pressure on Falkirk by gliding on to Luke Leahy’s cross, but his shot was inches wide.
Another bulleted Leahy cross gave Austin a sniff of settling it. Tiredness prevented him from making up the yards to convert it.
Luca Gasparotto had a heart-in-mouth moment when the ball struck his hand in his own box but it seemed a desperate plea by United.
Seconds later, though, it didn’t matter. As Aaron Muirhead and Murray contested Blair Spittal’s flick-on, it was imperative that the Falkirk defender didn’t let the ball bounce. Critically, that’s exactly what happened.
Murray needed no second invitation. He took one touch and buried the ball beyond Thomson.
Telfer took a booking for the team by tripping Austin as he looked to re-establish Falkirk’s lead. It proved to be a fine decision.
With just three minutes left to play, United turned the game on its head. It stemmed from an outstanding cross by substitute Alex Nicholls.
Dixon leapt like a salmon to out-jump Tom Taiwo and send a looping header into the far corner. The visiting end exploded with joy.