Clark at double as he lays claim to be United’s main man
Clark (76, 80) Callaghan (65) He was expected to play second fiddle to Lawrence Shankland this season.
But Nicky Clark seized the spotlight again with a late double as Dundee United came from behind to bury Hamilton Accies.
Ross Callaghan’s back-post header put Accies in front after a truly dreadful opening 65 minutes at Tannadice.
But Clark pounced twice – aided on both occasions by the excellent Marc Mcnulty – as United roared ahead, before a missed Callaghan penalty cemented the result.
With nine goals to his name this season, Clark now sits seven goals clear of Shankland and Cammy Smith (on loan at Ayr United), in the Tangerines’ scoring charts.
But for his manager, Mcnulty’s contribution was just as important.
“It’s what we all want to be involved in football for – the madness of it at times,” said Micky Mellon.
“We didn’t start the second half well and gave away a goal. But the composure we showed to get a way back into it was great.
“The passes before the goals were pure quality. To be calm like that is credit to the players and for Nicky Clark to bury them is fantastic.”
After citing concerns about Shankland’s hectic schedule with Scotland over the last week, the United boss named the striker as a substitute for Accies’ visit.
Like the rest of the 30-orso media, officials and scouts watching on, he was treated to a rotten first half.
United edged it in terms of chances created, but there was nothing clear-cut – and nothing particularly well executed.
The underfoot conditions didn’t help either team, with players sprawled on the Tannadice turf after being failed by their studs.
The Tangerines, like Accies, were sloppy in their play, but their best move of the first 45 – when Mcnulty and Clark combined cleverly on the break – did result in a penalty claim.
Adrian Sporle appeared to swing at – and miss – Mcnulty’s cross, only for Mark Connolly to mount a strong claim for a spot kick, which referee Napier ignored.
Instead, United won a free kick 25 yards out as Accies struggled to clear the ball, with Clark rifling narrowly past the left-hand post.
Mcnulty then burst into the box and tumbled after contact from Scott Martin. The ref awarded a free kick inside the “D” only for Mcnulty to be penalised for interfering with the Accies wall.
Brian Rice’s side, who saw an early Marios Ogkmpoe header flash wide, struggled before the break, but their competitive streak never wavered.
After a stuffy start to the second half, United brought on Shankland, Bolton and Harkes for Mcmullan, Sporle and Fuchs.
Yet it was Accies who finally sparked the game into life, when Callaghan ghosted in to head Scott Mcmann’s perfect cross past Siegrist at United’s back post.
The Tangerines immediately pressed for an equaliser and it came with 14 minutes to go when Mcnulty sprung Liam Smith, who hit the by line and cut the ball back perfectly for Clark to sidefoot past the helpless Fulton.
In the aftermath, what had been a drab contest became wildly entertaining.
United snatched the lead when Clark spectacularly swiped Mcnulty’s headed lay-off home on the volley.
Straight from the restart, Accies were awarded a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Robson’s arm just inside the box.
While United protested, Callaghan stepped up – to send a hopeless effort miles over the bar.