10-man United’s hard-fought win
DUNDEE UNITED 2 McDonald (18), Fraser (68) QUEEN OF THE SOUTH 1 Fordyce (25)
IT might have been the Glorious 12th on the grouse moors but at Tannadice it was the glorious 10.
The home side had Paul McMullen sent off after just 36 minutes but refused to feel sorry for themselves.
It would have been easy for manager Ray McKinnon to move striker James Keatings back to play the wide left role McMullen occupied.
Instead the United boss kept Keatings up front with Scott McDonald and sacrificed a mid-fielder in an attempt to win.
McKinnon continually waved his players forward and his bravado paid off when substitute Scott Fraser scored the winner four minutes after replacing the tired Keatings.
Afterwards McKinnon said: “We showed real character after playing with 10 men for so long. The result is a different class.
“There are a few tired bodies in that dressing room I can tell you.
“I told the players at half-time they were here to win the game. We never once thought of shoring up things.
“I’ve yet to see the McMullen incident again but if it’s a red card, it’s a red card. It’s certainly out of character.
“He’s not seriously throwing punches at anyone. He’s a bantam weight.
“He was roasting their right back and probably got frustrated at being fouled yet again. “I felt the ref could have handled things better.” United went ahead when McDonald was on hand to nudge a McMillan left wing cross over the line.
Around this time they were causing Queens all sorts of trouble down the flanks with McMullan and Billy King in full flight.
Queens equalised when United struggled to clear a Stephen Dobbie free kick. Central defender Callum Fordyce did well to keep his left foot shot down and into the bottom corner.
McMullan was dismissed 11 minutes later for throwing a punch at Shaun Rooney after being fouled.
Referee Nick Walsh had no option but to brandish a red card. He also booked Rooney. Queens pushed hard for a second but were wasteful with their final pass and shot.
With United still pressing forward at every opportunity the winner arrived when McDonald and Billy King combined to set up Fraser who skillfully tucked the ball beyond Alan Martin.
Sub Chris Kane was thwarted by Harry Lewis then the home keeper did well to save from Jordan Marshall.
Queens manager Gary Naysmith said afterwards: ”We are frustrated and disappointed to leave with nothing.
“We were too careless with our use of the ball and didn’t capitalise on our chances. Their keeper had a few decent saves.
“However, at the end of the day whoever finishes above United will go up.”
As well as showing McMullen red, the ref also booked Darren Brownlie, John Rankin and Chris Kane.