Neilson wants more of the same as United return to winning ways
DUNDEE UNITED boss Robbie Neilson watched his title hopefuls get back in the winning groove against 10-man Falkirk — then challenged them to turn up the heat at the top in the weeks ahead.
The Tangerines ended a three-game winless streak thanks to Sam Stanton’s 22nd- minute opener before Pavol Safranko made it 2-0 early in the second half.
Aaron Muirhead’s stoppagetime penalty proved to be a consolation for Falkirk, who also saw Paul Paton sent off for a headbutt on Safranko.
But Neilson’s men held on for three points and the ex-Hearts gaffer has thrown down the gauntlet to his side, who now side four points behind new league leaders Ross County.
Neilson said: ‘It’s massive to get back to winning ways. I thought we were very much in control, although we made it difficult for ourselves.
‘Come the end of the season, if we achieve what we want to, no one will be too bothered.
‘We had lost one and drawn two before which isn’t good enough, so this is what we needed.
‘There was an expectation being at home against a team that’s bottom of the table.
‘Now we want to build some momentum when we face Alloa and then Partick Thistle over the next wee while.’
Falkirk’s first chance came in 16 minutes when Zak Rudden’s close-range header was well saved by Benjamin Siegrist after Rachid Bouhenna had failed to clear his lines.
But it was United who went ahead midway through the first half. Stanton picked up possession 20 yards from goal and had nothing else on his mind but letting fly.
The former Hibs midfielder unleashed his left-foot effort which deflected off Muirhead to leave visiting keeper David Mitchell wrong footed.
Safranko then struck with a header in 53 minutes from Fraser Aird’s corner.
Falkirk pulled on back deep in injury-time after Dennon Lewis was brought down by Paul Watson and Muirhead made no mistake with the resultant spot-kick.
Bairns boss Ray McKinnon said: ‘We can take great hope from the spirit we showed going down to 10 men.’