Clark hits high spot for United
DUNDEE UNITED closed to within one point of second-placed Ayr in the Championship with a Nicky Clark first-half penalty giving Robbie Neilson’s side a crucial victory against 10-man Queen of the South.
And the Tannadice boss was delighted with ‘a massive three points’.
‘It’s always tough at Palmerston and it’s only us and Morton who have won here in the league this season,’ said Neilson.
‘We knew it would be difficult to come away with a win, even when they went down to 10 men.
‘It’s a massive three points with 12 games to go and puts pressure on (leaders) Ross County.’
United, who have now secured a hat-trick of league wins over Queens in this campaign, should have gone in front after 16 minutes but Peter Pawlett stabbed the ball wide from 15 yards.
Two minutes later, Pawlett swung over a corner, which was met on the volley 10 yards out by Pavol Safranko but Queens goalkeeper Alan Martin dived low to save.
The hosts, who were previously unbeaten at home in their last six matches in all competitions, were under continuous pressure from an adventurous United side, particularly at set-pieces.
Another Pawlett corner on the half hour picked out Frederic Frans but his header was scrambled away by Martin.
Both of those chances came at a time when Queens were down to 10 men after Scott Mercer received lengthy treatment for a head knock following a clash with Clark.
Neilson’s side finally broke the deadlock five minutes from the interval when referee Andrew Dallas pointed to the penalty spot after Queens defender Barry Maguire was adjudged to have pulled back Pawlett, who was clean through on goal.
Maguire was given a red card before former Queens striker Clark blasted home the spot-kick.
Neilson added: ‘It was probably one of the penalties he (Dallas) got right and a red card as well. It was a shame for young Maguire but I’m sure he will learn from it.
‘Nicky Clark has been like a new signing for us. He missed most of the first part of the season but he brings real quality now he has his fitness levels.’
Three minutes after the break, United could have doubled their lead when Safranko laid the ball back to Paul McMullan at the edge of the area, but Martin brilliantly tipped round his curling effort.
From Pawlett’s corner, Safranko’s header forced the overworked Martin into another fine save.
Queens had to wait until 56 minutes for their first real opportunity and Stephen Dobbie was just inches off the mark with a 30-yard free-kick.
Nine minutes later, United keeper Benjamin Siegrist was brought into action for the first time, saving a Michael Doyle header.
Gary Naysmith’s side came close to levelling in 71 minutes when Dobbie cut the ball back to Kyle Jacobs, whose 20-yard shot took a wicked deflection and crashed back off the crossbar.
In a storming finish, Queens fought desperately for the equaliser, with Lyndon Dykes and then Dobbie testing Siegrist in quick succession but United held on.
A disappointed Naysmith said: ‘We are not getting any breaks. We made one bad decision the whole game. Iain Wilson should clear the ball up the line but passes it to Maguire and rather than put his foot through it, he rugby tackles Pawlett.
‘It was the only decision Dallas got right the whole game.
‘With 10 men, we were outstanding and couldn’t have given any more. We shouldn’t have been beaten.’