Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Tangerines cling after frustrating
DUNDEE United remain top of the Scottish Championship after a frustrating 2-0 loss to Airdrie at Tannadice.
Gabby McGill headed Airdrie ahead 15 minutes after half-time before substitute Josh O’Connor added a late second to inflict United’s third home league defeat of the season.
With title rivals Raith Rovers held at home to Morton, it means Jim Goodwin’s men remain top of the league, albeit on goal difference.
Goodwin made changes for the weekend win over Queen’s Park and did so again for the visit of Airdrie last night.
Archie Meekison and Chris Mochrie were brought in to start either side of Craig Sibbald in a midfield three of a 4-3-3 and Glenn Middleton and Alex Grieve came into the front three.
The squad rotation didn’t prove as fruitful as it did on Saturday, with Diamonds keeper Josh Rae enjoying a fairly comfortable evening.
In what was a turgid first half, the home side showed some signs of life down Airdrie’s left flank.
Greive linked well with Miller Thomson, retaining his right-back slot after an impressive showing versus Queen’s Park and the New Zealander’s early cutback was sent towards goal by Middleton in the opening minutes.
That effort was blocked and Scott McCann’s follow-up was cleared as the Diamonds rode the danger.
Airdrie were forced into an early change when Mason Hancock was replaced halfway through the opening 45 minutes.
They did register the only shots
on target of the first half, however, when centre-back Callum Fordyce tested goalkeeper Jack Walton following a corner.
Later the young Liam McStravick stung the palms of Walton.
The closest the Tangerines came to a first-half opener was when Middleton agonisingly struck the bar from a well-struck free-kick.
The 24-year-old should have
done better moments before halftime when he shot wide after being teed up by Tony Watt.
United started the second half with intent and Meekison came close to connecting with a good Scott McMann cross before Watt shot wildly over.
With almost their first attack of the half, Airdrie won a corner from which they took the lead
when McGill headed in from a cross by former Tannadice man Charlie Telfer.
That forced Goodwin’s hands and he withdrew Meekison and captain Watt, who had not long been booked for Louis Moult and Liam Grimshaw.
Airdrie now had a bounce in their step and were close again through another McGill header though this one sailed wide.
At the other end, Mochrie came close before Kevin Holt tried his luck from a header following good skill and a cross from McMann, but the defender couldn’t get enough purchase on the header.
Another header was just wide for United, this time from Declan Gallagher, again from Thomson’s corner.
United thought they should have
had a penalty with around 15 minutes to go when Middleton crashed to the floor in the box but referee Grant Irvine waved away the claims.
All in all, it was a frustrating night in front of goal for Goodwin’s men.
In a reversal from the meeting at Tannadice between the sides earlier in the season, with United chasing an equaliser, substitute O’Connor added a second to seal the victory.