NEILSON HAS TARGET FOR TANNADICE

ROBBIE NEILSON watched his rejuvenated Dundee United side continue their resurgence — and insisted they are turning Tannadice into a fortress once more.

Pavol Safranko’s secondminute opener allied to Queen of the South defender Michael Doyle’s late own goal helped move United to within four points of second-placed Ross County and seven behind league leaders Ayr United in their quest for a return to the top flight.

This was United’s first league win on home soil since sweeping past Partick Thistle 3-1 back in late August as Safranko put them on the road to victory with his early textbook header.

Doyle’s misfortune on 81 minutes meant Neilson’s men can approach next weekend’s crunch clash with County in Dingwall in fine fettle.

It’s now four league games unbeaten for Neilson since replacing sacked boss Csaba Laszlo, and their dramatic upturn in fortunes saw their long-suffering fans give their side a standing ovation.

Neilson said: ‘It’s an important win with it being our first one here at Tannadice for a while.

‘We want to build on this and get fans coming back.

‘We need this place to be a fortress.’

United got off to a whirlwind start. Fraser Aird’s deep cross caught out the visiting defence and Safranko was on hand to loop a header over Alan Martin.

United made sure of the points nine minutes from full-time when Stewart Murdoch knocked a ball forward and Doyle turned the ball past Martin.

Queens boss Gary Naysmith said: ‘We shot ourselves in the foot with a nonsense second goal.’