FLOOD SEEKS STRIKER

DUNDEE UNITED midfielder Willo Flood believes his side could do with ‘one or two’ signings in January to give them a boost in the hunt for promotion. The Tannadice side’s 14-match unbeaten run was abruptly halted as they lost to Dumbarton at the weekend. In blustery conditions, United failed to find a reply to Mark Docherty’s first-half opener which came when his hopeful cross caught the wind and evaded everyone inside the box before bouncing into the back of the net. United had plenty of the ball as they probed for an opening but could not break the Sons down and Flood feels signing a front man has to be the priority in January. The 31-year-old said: ‘I think we need one or two to give us something extra, especially up top. ‘We’ve only one recognised striker in Simon Murray at the club and he can’t do it all himself. ‘We need someone to give him a dig out at times so let’s hope we can do it.’ United boss Ray McKinnon put centreback Mark Durnan up front for the closing stages but Flood does not feel this is a viable long-term option. He continued: ‘To be fair to Mark, he did really well when he went up top but he’s been doing really well at centre-back, so we don’t want to be taking him out of there. ‘The manager knows what he’s looking for, so let’s hope he can get one or two to give us a little lift.’ The loss means United end the calendar year second in the Championship table, a point behind Hibs, whilst the win lifts Dumbarton into seventh. Man-of-the-match Docherty admitted he had the conditions to thank for his goal. He said: ‘The boys are calling me a wind specialist. Anytime it’s windy, I seem to score a goal. ‘I’ve tried to put it into a good area for one of the boys to get on the end of. ‘I’m delighted with another goal and another big three points.’