Micky hails Nicky as supersub stands in for Shanks in style
ROSS COUNTY 1 Donaldson (29) DUNDEE UNITED 2 Pawlett (40), Clark (79)
It was a case of no Lawrence Shankland, no problem for Dundee United, with boss Micky Mellon praising his makeshift side for destroying Ross County’s unbeaten record.
Minus their talismanic Scotland striker and a host of other first team stars, United’s young guns, fringe men and misfits put an unbeaten County to the sword to draw level with the Staggies in the Premiership table.
After falling behind to a Coll Donaldson strike, goals from Peter Pawlett and Nicky Clark won the day for the Tangerines in Dingwall.
Mellon said: “I have always said I wouldn’t be reckless with Dundee United with people saying ‘look at Micky Mellon, he puts in young players’.
“I believe these players will go in because they will make an impact and give us a good chance in games because I trust them.
“They have shown they can do that for United but all the players were terrific.”
Though there was not much between the sides in terms of possession or territory, with both enjoying spells of dominance, it was the hosts playing the first half with most intent.
If not for whistler Craig Napier viewing the incident as a dive by Harry Paton, County may have had a dream start when the Staggies midfielder went down in the box with Mark Connolly in close quarters.
As it was, leading the way for the home side were the influential Michael Gardyne, Ross Stewart and Iain Vigurs – United’s tormentors in chief.
They gave a back four showing two changes – Argentine Adrian Sporle in at left-back and young Kieran Freeman making his debut on the other side – a torrid time.
Whether it was the wing wizardry of Gardyne, Vigurs’ vision or the menacing Stewart, they were carving open Mellon’s Tangerines with vigour.
In fact, two of the triumvirate were involved in County fashioning their opener. Vigurs’ deep cross was knocked down by Stewart for former United centre-back Coll Donaldson to lash home from 25 yards.
United had their moments, though, as demonstrated in them getting back into the contest.
American Ian Harkes continued his fine start to the season, relishing the more advanced role handed to him by Mellon.
Sporle, too, looked revitalised and wasn’t afraid to have a crack from distance.
On the other side of the park, on-loan Manchester City kid Luke Bolton was busy, interchanging crossfield balls nicely with the South American.
And the two would combine for the equaliser – Bolton crossing for Sporle to fire one goalwards which spilled kindly for Peter Pawlett to stab home.
That goal seemed to spur the Tangerines on in the second period, as they took control.
Harry Reid should’ve scored when he was played in by the increasingly confident Appere, showing terrific pace to get beyond Alex Iacovitti only for a smart save from Laidlaw to deny him.
Sub Lee Erwin added some impetus for the Highlanders, playing in Paton and Stewart for chances which were spurned.
However, it was United substitutes Nicky Clark and Cammy Smith who had the greatest impact on the contest.
Frozen out under Robbie Neilson, Smith set up Clark to steer home the winner with a cute finish inside the box after only a minute on the park.
That utilisation of his squad won the day for Mellon’s United. He has put faith in youth, the forgotten and the misunderstood – and is starting to reap the rewards.