dUNdEE UNITEd 2

Robbie Neilson watched his rejuvenated Dundee United side continue their recent resurgence – and insisted they’re turning Tannadice into a fortress once more.

Pavol Safranko’s third-minute opener allied to Queen of the South defender Michael Doyle’s late own goal helped move the on-form Tangerines to within four points of second-top Ross County and seven behind leaders Ayr.

This was United’s first home league win since beating Partick Thistle 3-1 back in late August.

It’s now four games unbeaten in the Championship for Neilson since replacing sacked boss Csaba Laszlo and their dramatic upturn in fortunes saw their long-suffering fans give their promotion hopefuls a well-earned standing ovation at the end.

Neilson said: “It’s an important win with it being our first one here at Tannadice for a while.

“We need this place to be a fortress and for as many fans to get behind us.”

United got off to a whirlwind start.

In the third minute Fraser Aird’s deep cross caught out the visiting defence and Pavol Safranko was on hand to loop a header over Allan Martin.

United were dominant and, in 20 minutes, Safranko came close to grabbing his second with a header which wasn’t that far over the bar.

On the stroke of half-time, skipper Fraser Fyvie let fly from 25 yards which Martin had to look lively to gather.

The second-half started with United winger Billy King trying his luck from distance, before Stephen Dobbie reminded the hosts of his threat with a raking shot which flew just past Benjamin Siegrist’s near post.

Queens ought to have equalised on 70 minutes when it took an instinctive save from Siegrist to turn a Bouhenna, effort away for a corner.

United sealed matters in 81 minutes when Murdoch knocked a ball forward and Doyle turned the ball past the advancing Martin.

Queens boss Gary Naysmith said: “It was just a poor start. United then pinned us back without creating that many chances. However, we then shot ourselves in the foot with a nonsense second goal.”