Second-half switch may have cost Utd top six

IT’S not over yet for Dundee United but dropping two points at Kilmarnock hasn’t done them any favours in the race for the top six.

With only Celtic and Aberdeen left to play and United four points behind St Mirren, sitting sixth in the Premiership standings, it looks a tall order.

And, for me, it could have all been so different if it weren’t for Tangerines boss Micky Mellon’s tactical tweak in the second half.

Replacing Jeando Fuchs with Mark Connolly and going to a back three changed the dynamics of the game.

It gave Kilmarnock that little bit of a boost to equalise and cancel out Adrian Sporle’s first-half opener at Rugby Park.

The Ayrshire men might have got that boost anyway because they were the ones who needed to push for the win more than United.

A draw is still a decent result from the Terrors’ point of view, in my opinion, and they’re still in a good position for their first season back in the top flight after four years away.

Creeping into the top six would be even better and give them a real safety net to any danger below.

They’ll be kicking themselves a bit because Killie were beatable but, on the whole, I feel Mellon has done a good job at Tannadice, even if he may regret that switch a little. They have their confidence back and next season will be the real gauge.