Laszlo admits title bid is over

CSABA LASZLO has finally admitted that Dundee United’s title hopes are over after falling 19 points behind runaway leaders St Mirren.

The Hungarian watched his side fail once more at home as Thomas Mikkelsen’s 64thminute equaliser scraped a point against lowly Inverness.

Laszlo, whose side languish in third spot, said: ‘We have to aim for a play-off place now as St Mirren are so far ahead.

‘Now it’s more of a battle for second, third and fourth.’

Against Inverness, United were second best and things would have been worse had it not been for Mikkelsen’s strike which cancelled out Iain Vigurs’ 30th-minute headed opener. The Highlanders made a bright start. Playmaker Vigurs released George Oakley whose low effort was well held by Harry Lewis, the on-loan Southampton keeper.

That set the tone for the visitors to take charge and minutes later Oakley’s shot was blocked by Mark Durnan after three United defenders failed to deal with an awkward bounce inside the box.

Caley Thistle got the reward their dominance merited on the half-hour mark. Liam Polworth’s corner was met by Vigurs, who rose unchallenged to power a header high into the roof of Lewis’s net. Five minutes before the interval, Vigurs sent Oakley free down the right and his cross was almost turned home by Connor Bell.

United’s Aussie striker Scott McDonald was introduced after the break for Paul Quinn in the hope it might spark a revival and they did manage to drag themselves level.

Billy King’s deep cross found Mikkelsen and the Dane hooked home a finish.

United substitute Paul McMullan’s drive was blocked by Inverness keeper Mark Ridgers at the death.

Inverness boss John Robertson said: ‘We could have been 5-0 up at half-time quite easily. It was hugely frustrating.’