United boss angered by missed opportunities

Laszlo furious with striker but encouraged by team’s performance in Dingwall

United boss Csaba Laszlo admitted he was furious after Nicky Clark blew a match-winning chance late in last night’s Betfred Cup Group A game at Dingwall.

Clark fluffed his penalty nine minutes from time with Scott Fox saving both the spot-kick and Clark’s attempt on the rebound.

County then stormed forward to clinch victory through Jamie Lindsay to leave United’s group campaign teetering on the brink.

Laszlo, fresh from a disappointing home draw with Arbroath, claimed there had been improvement but admitted: “Tonight is not a happy end for us. I am angry – definitely.

“We had a big chance to win the game and even the shot after the penalty was even easier to push in. We missed it too.

“But generally, we are in the middle of pre-season, and we make steps forward.

“Today we had more freshness and I have to compliment the team – they look like a football team, especially in the second half.”

Two Championship teams with promotion aspirations took time to size each other up but United threatened first after 15 minutes.

Paul McMullan’s free-kick from deep right found Frederic Frans towering above the County defence but he headed over the bar from eight yards.

Two minutes later, County mustered a similar chance from Josh Mullin’s freekick but Sean Kelly’s leap ended in similar fashion to the Frans effort.

County gradually gained the upper hand and went close after 24 minutes.

Michael Gardyne’s trickery created space and Billy Mckay knocked down the County winger’s cross just inside the area. Ex-Celtic midfielder Jamie Lindsay let fly but keeper Matej Rakovan turned the fierce attempt beyond his right-hand post.

County defender Liam Fontaine then came off worst after catching Rakovan with a stray arm after chasing down a through ball and had to be replaced by Callum Morris.

Both teams saw further attempts cleared off the line before the break.

Keith Watson’s header was knocked clear, while, at the other end Adam Barton’s aerial attempt was nodded to safety by Watson.

The stalemate continued into the second half. The hosts almost carved the Tangerines open after 63 minutes with Sean Kelly’s cross inviting for Declan McManus before a timely challenge from Frans spared United.

United substitute Declan Glass added some energy for the visitors and he broke immediately but his stinging shot was parried by home keeper Fox.

Home tempo was building, with McManus denied twice by keeper Rakovan, either side of a Gardyne attempt.

With nine minutes left it was United who blew a chance to go ahead.

Gardyne was adjudged to have tripped Sam Stanton just inside the penalty area. But the County keeper read Clark’s penalty, diving to save to his right before reacting to send the United man’s strike on the rebound over the bar.

Four minutes later, County substitute Ryan Dow wheeled clear on the right and sent in a perfect cross for Lindsay to net with a downward header from six yards to seal the points.

Picture: SNS Group. Sam Stanton, right, is brought down by Michael Gardyne for United’s penalty.

Nicky Clark saw his penalty, and the rebound, saved by Staggies keeper Scott Fox.