Tangerines fans hailed for standing by team

Supporters can make difference but keeper admits ‘it must be tough’

Dundee United’s Harry Lewis has thanked the club’s fans for sticking by the team this season despite the players making it “tough” for them to do so.

The 20-year-old keeper was recalled to the starting line-up on Saturday at Tannadice against Dunfermline after missing the midweek defeat to Queen of the South.

He was unable to prevent the Pars taking the lead through Nicky Clark before Scott Mcdonald equalised for the home side.

There was plenty of honest endeavour on show by Csaba Laszlo’s men but they and Dunfermline ultimately had to settle for a draw.

However, on-loan Southampton stopper Lewis is determined the team will return to winning ways against Inverness in the Highlands tomorrow night.

He said: “It must be tough supporting Dundee United as we haven’t always played the way we should do to make the fans happy.

“But I don’t think they realise how much of a difference it does make to us when you can hear them chanting and clapping especially for me with this being my first season where I have been playing first team every week.

“The fans do have a big impact. You can feel anxiety in the crowd but you can also feel when the fans really push you on.”

United’s Harry Lewis hopes the players have shown the fans and their manager that they are definitely up for the fight to win promotion from the Championship.

Tangerines boss Csaba Laszlo questioned his side following Tuesday night’s shattering 3-2 defeat at home to Queen of the South.

Keeper Lewis was rested for that game but he was recalled against Dunfermline on Saturday with the teams ultimately having to settle for a point apiece.

The goalie admitted that was probably a fair result but he is determined the fighting spirit the team showed will soon be rewarded with three points, starting at Inverness tomorrow night.

Lewis said: “I am looking to kick on now and play a big part in getting this club up.

“It is so tight and every game means so much.

“If you look at the matches coming up, there are some big teams in there and they will be difficult games.

“But we haven’t lost faith. It is an exciting time and we need to give the fans something to shout about.

“Hopefully they are impressed with the fighting spirit at the moment.

“Obviously in midweek it didn’t go well as we lost but we kept coming back from goals down. That is not ideal but we are still showing fight.

“Against Dunfermline there was energy on the pitch and we need to take that into Tuesday as momentum is massive.

“With all the games piling up there is going to be plenty of rotation so it is important that we continue to kick on until the end of the season.”

Lewis said: “I would probably have to say a draw was a fair result against Dunfermline.

“We are disappointed we didn’t take a few more of the chances that came our way.

“Their keeper has made a few good saves and we have been unlucky on a few occasions. But I think on the balance of things a draw was fair.”

United had a chance in the first minute but Jamie Robson’s shot was well saved by Pars keeper Lee Robinson.

Allan Johnston’s side did come agonisingly close to opening the scoring when Declan Mcmanus hit the post with a strike from the edge of the United box.

Robinson then pulled off a spectacular save in the 41st minute, soaring high to his left to claw away a superb 22-yard Scott Fraser free-kick with a Scobbie header from the resulting corner cleared off the Pars’ line by Nicky Clark.

However, seven minutes into the second half, the Pars striker was on hand to open the scoring.

Dunfermline broke quickly before Ryan Williamson played a cross in from the right with Clark on hand to tap home.

Then in the 55th minute, United drew level when the Pars James Craigen tried to clear inside his box but only succeeded in crashing the ball off Scott Mcdonald and into the back of the net.

There were further chances for the home side’s Sam Stanton and Mark Durnan, as well as Mcmanus, but the game ended all square.

Dunfermline skipper and former United defender Callum Morris lamented the loss of the freak goal but insisted the Pars are still on course to make the play-offs.

Morris said: “It was just bad luck more than anything.

“It was one in a million really. James has worked his butt off to get back and he has tried to clear it and it was just a fluke goal.

“But I think we can take a lot from the game.

“I thought we were quite solid and played in the right areas.

“We soaked up a lot of pressure and created the better chances. Dec was millimetres from scoring at the end, we have hit the post and there were other opportunities as well so there were lots of positives.

“It was a shame not to get the win as we are on a good run at the moment.

“It was disappointing to drop two points in the manner we have.

“Everyone is down in the changingroom because we have been on such a good run and we came here with every confidence that we were probably the form team.

“But there were a lot of positives to take from the game so we will look to Saturday now and try to get three points at home.

“I think if we can keep this run going and get into the play-offs there won’t be many teams keen to face us.”

nrobertson@thecourier.co.uk