Shankland and United hit top gear
STRIKERS scoring goals and moving clear at the top of the Championship. As far as Dundee United are concerned, this was much more like it.
Robbie Neilson’s men rose three points ahead of Ayr United at the league summit after Lawrence Shankland ended his mini-goal drought and Nicky Clark netted his first of the season on his return to the starting XI in this victory over Dunfermline.
The Tannadice side entered this game under pressure — but somehow still sitting in top spot on goal difference — after consecutive losses at Alloa and Queen of the South when they failed to hit the target.
It was a case of job done as the first-half goals maintained their 100-per-cent home record and they took advantage of Ayr’s defeat against Dundee on Friday night to lead the way in the second tier on points.
‘I’m absolutely delighted for Nicky,’ said Neilson. ‘He started the season well but couldn’t get off the mark. He then had a hamstring problem and I’ve been desperate to get him back.
‘He gives quality next to Shanks and has great movement. I think the two of them will create a good partnership, if we get Nicky fitter.’
Urging his team to ‘put the foot down’ in the title race, Neilson added: ‘This was the first game of the second quarter, so there is still a long way to go. It’s nice to have a lead but with two games in four days things can change quickly.
‘But there is an opportunity to put the foot down here and the Partick game (on Tuesday) will be massive.’
United took the lead with their first attack of the game after nine minutes. The front two combined, with Clark delivering a perfect cross from the left for Shankland to convert his 14th league goal of the season at the near post from close range.
The Pars were almost level within two minutes. Andy Ryan’s looping header inside the box was tipped over the bar by United goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.
The hosts doubled their lead on 27 minutes and it was former Athletic striker Clark who punished the visitors. Ian Harkes was fouled at the right corner of the box and Clark curled home the free-kick to beat keeper Cammy Gill at his near post.
United midfielder Calum Butcher almost made it 3-0 in spectacular style three minutes after the break when he met a loose ball 30 yards out but his volley sailed over the bar.
Dunfermline nearly pulled a goal back on 58 minutes. Left-back Josh Edwards slipped a neat pass through the United defence to Ryan Dow, who only had Siegrist to beat but the goalkeeper diverted the ball behind.
Substitute Kevin Nisbet was next to try his luck for the Pars but when the striker met a cross at the back post the ball slammed into the turf and bounced over the bar.
Stevie Crawford’s side came even closer on 74 minutes when Ryan met Nisbet’s cutback and curled an effort from 18 yards which sailed over Siegrist but crashed off the bar.
Dunfermline head coach Crawford, whose side sit eighth, said: ‘Losing the early goal gave Dundee United a foothold in the game and they grew after the second goal.
‘But I thought, with the response in the second half, we showed belief.’