MOULT HAS KEY TO THE FOUR
Strike ace fires Arabs clear at top as they grind out win in Greenock
DUNDEE UNITED opened up a four-point lead at the top with this nervous win.
A well-worked goal from striker Louis Moult midway through the first half gave the Arabs their first victory of the season over Morton.
United boss Jim Goodwin said: “We knew it wasn’t going to be pretty down here. The last couple of games against them have been very difficult.
“My guys stood up to everything they threw at us. To get the clean sheet was brilliant and it’s a huge three points.”
The home side started the brighter, clearly hoping to atone for the surprise weekend defeat to Inverness that ended their 16-game unbeaten run.
Ton’s first chance was a freekick from the left of the box. Alan Power smashed it across the area but there were no takers. A long throw from
Lewis Strapp into the box then nearly led to a home opener. Robbie Muirhead hit wide from close range.
United finally woke up and defender Kevin Holt’s powerful header from Miller Thomson’s cross gave Ryan Mullen a mild scare, the Ton keeper saving in the bottom corner.
And after 18 minutes, Moult fired narrowly wide from the middle of the box.
The Tangerines opened the scoring eight minutes later. A deep cross from the left was delivered by Tony Watt and Moult, lurking at the back post, squeezed a volley under the despairing arms of Mullen.
United midfielder Thomson then embarked on a waltz from the halfway line to the
Morton box, where he was eventually dispossessed.
Power was booked in the 32nd minute for a heavy challenge and, five minutes from the break, Moult was bundled over in the box by Darragh O’Connor but ref Lloyd Wilson waved play on.
The first chance of the second half fell to Craig Sibbald but his trusty left peg let him down as he fired wide.
The first substitution arrived for Morton after 54 minutes with Jai Quitongo – who was just back after missing the previous game through illness – making way for Michael Garrity.
Moult went close again two minutes later with a volley at the back post but this time couldn’t seal the deal. He then sent Thomson galloping with a cute flick but the trickster ran into a wall of bodies.
United were taking control and Mullen had to be at full stretch to deny Jordan Tillson’s left-foot attempt from inside the box.
However, Ton weren’t done and Robbie Crawford forced an excellent save out of Jack Walton in the 70th minute.
Boss Dougie Imrie provided an honest assessment of a penalty shout near the end when Garrity was brought down by Tillson.
He said: “It wasn’t a penalty, but if the referee thought it was a dive, why no booking?
“Overall it’s disappointing to lose two home games in a row but the boys have been brilliant lately and we’re carrying a lot of injuries, with a heavy playing schedule.”