Ellis oversees second win as United brush off crisis to move level with Saints at top
Dundee United have given out all the signs of being a club in crisis recently, however they sit level on points with St Mirren at the top of the table after a 2-1 win over the Paisley side at Tannadice.
Ray Mckinnon was dismissed a fortnight ago when the Tayside club sat five points off top spot and the search for a new boss has still to yield fruit, however interim manager Laurie Ellis now boasts two wins from two games.
Mark Durnan headed a Scott Fraser free-kick past Craig Samson to give United the lead on 11 minutes and with the Saints offering little in the way of resistance Sam Stanton doubled United’s lead 11 minutes from time when he cracked a shot home.
St Mirren gained a late consolation through Adam Eckersley’s injury time pile-driver from 30 yards.
A new manager is expected to be announced early this week with Ellis saying: “Whoever comes in has a terrific platform to build on as the players are giving their all. It has been a difficult couple of weeks but we have worked our way through them. It is all about looking forward now.”
St Mirren manager Jack Ross said: “We are still top but it was a disappointing performance. We looked jaded but hopefully it is a one-off.”
A goalless draw with visitors Inverness Caledonian Thistle denied Livingston the chance of leading the Championship with the Lions slipping down to third place.
It would have been an even more disappointing afternoon for David Hopkin’s side had Neil Alexander not been in top form with great stops from Jake Mulraney and Connor Bell.
Paul Hartley is still searching for his first win as Falkirk manager, however he will have been pleased with his side’s performance in the 1-1 draw with a visiting Dunfermline side who ended with nine men.
Kallum Higginbotham gave the Pars the lead from the penalty spot on 28 minutes after Nicky Clark had been fouled, however the goalscorer was the first visitor to pick up a red card when he fouled Joe Mckee on 56 minutes to collect his second booking.
Jordan Mcghee fired in a free-kick to level the scoring eight minutes later with Declan Mcmanus departing in injury time when he clashed with Aaron Muirhead.
Queen of South won for the third consecutive game when they defeated Morton 2-1 at Cappielow but Gary Naysmith’s side remain outside the top four.
The day began well for the Greenock hosts with Gary Harkins slotting in a penalty after seven minutes, however Stephen Dobbie’s first-time flick restored parity just before the break. Callum Fordyce won the game early in the second half when he shot home at the second attempt.
Dumbarton pushed themselves five points clear of Falkirk and ensured that Brechin became further marooned at the foot of the table with a 1-0 win at Glebe Park.
The winning goal was a heart-breaker for Brechin as defender Willie Dyer turned a Chris Mclaughlin cross into his own net in injury time.