Duffy sees the positives at Tannadice
MORTON manager Jim Duffy left Tannadice frustrated at Dundee United’s late reply — but believes their latest performance proved they are genuine play-off contenders.
Mark Durnan’s fortunate 83rd-minute equaliser preserved United’s unbeaten record at home this season, after skipper Lee Kilday had given the visitors a first-half lead with a towering header.
Morton were just minutes away from celebrating their first league win at Tannadice in 39 years, but it could not completely dampen Duffy’s mood. ‘We can’t be too harsh if you come up to Tannadice and come away with a point after all,’ he said.
‘But the hard part is still to come in the last quarter.
‘If we can keep that level of performance up, we’ll take enough points to ensure we have a good season.’
Morton arrived on Tayside knowing a win would move them above United.
They began the brighter side and, in 10 minutes, Ross Forbes was the first to try his luck with a curling 20-yard curled freekick which was well held by United keeper Cammy Bell.
Morton eventually made the breakthrough in 39 minutes.
Forbes’ inswinging corner eluded the entire home defence to allow Kilday to rise unchallenged at the far post and head into the empty net.
United should have levelled things in 52 minutes. Charlie Telfer slipped a ball through to Scott Fraser who, with a decent first touch, went clean through on goal but lifted his shot over the bar from 10 yards.
The hosts rode their luck seven minutes from the end when a goalmouth scramble involving Kilday ended with the ball ricocheting off Durnan and into the net past Derek Gaston.
United boss Ray McKinnon said: ‘We’re disappointed not to take the three points.
‘It wasn’t a great game but I’ve got to give the guys some credit because they kept going and salvaged a point.’