FATIGUE NOT AN ISSUE FOR DELIGHTED McKINNON

RAY McKINNON last night backed his side to put mind over matter in the coming week as they plot an immediate Premiership return. A dramatic 2-1 win at Falkirk, courtesy of Paul Dixon’s late winner, means Dundee United will face Hamilton or Inverness Caley Thistle in the twolegged Play-off final next Thursday and Sunday. Last season, the Bairns’ legs went in the final game at Kilmarnock. But having come from behind to win last night, McKinnon feels his players will feel no fatigue as their marathon season continues. ‘I think the lift they will get from this will overcome everything,’ said McKinnon. ‘We’ve got a lot of injuries but I haven’t seen that fatigue yet. ‘The character in there is different class. I don’t think they feel tired. ‘I said to them at half-time that they were the fittest I’d ever seen. ‘Look at Simon Murray in the last minute, running and chasing. The same with Blair Spittal. They are fit boys. They’ve now given themselves a chance. I’m delighted for them. ‘No one will want to face us now. We’re definitely a team in form. The benefit for us is Inverness and Hamilton need to play their strongest sides on Saturday. ‘In effect we’ve got an extra day’s recovery so, hopefully, we’ll be bang at it on Thursday.’ McKinnon heaped praise on Murray for the way he took the equaliser — his fourth in as many play-off games. ‘Simon is a real thorn in people’s sides,’ he added. ‘I told him to keep running in behind and get their defenders turned and he did that. ‘His work-rate and desire is different class. It was a great goal by him to get us back in the tie.’ Trailing to James Craigen’s early strike, United rallied before Dixon’s headed winner three minutes from time. ‘It was great to come back in such a big game,’ added McKinnon. ‘Their desire to win games recently has been outstanding. They should have won the last ten.’ Dejected Falkirk boss Peter Houston said: ‘It’s horrible. We had opportunities to stop that cross at the winning goal. The way it’s deflected in is so disappointing. ‘It’s heartbreaking for the players and fans. We need to dust ourselves down and look forward. It’s up to myself and my backroom staff to bring in a couple of quality players that could make the difference next season. ‘That’s two years in a row we’ve been left feeling absolutely gutted.’