Alloa hold firm as United falter again
ROBBIE NEIlsON’s men stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to 18 points — but it will be nagging away at those of a Tangerine persuasion that they have now gone five games without a win.
This, in truth, was a drab affair as Dundee United’s current insipid run of form continued.
While the Tannadice side have succeeded in opening up a sizeable chasm at the top of the second tier, last night’s rivals Alloa have spent the bulk of the campaign trying to stay in the league.
still, the recent form of Peter Grant’s side has been notable; 11 points taken from their last six league games would suggest that they may find a way to engineer an escape from the relegation play-off spot.
And therein seemed to lie the problem for United. With the journey towards the league title and promotion back to the top flight a simple procession now for Neilson’s side, there is always the danger that a lack of tension will create — subconsciously or otherwise — an easing off.
Neilson denied United were becoming complacent.
‘This is a hard place to come,’ he said. ‘Alloa are the form team in the league alongside us.
‘People expect us to win but the important thing is we got another point and put pressure on the other teams. We’ll keep plugging away.
‘We dominated the game and I’m disappointed we didn’t get all three points.’
Pleased with Rakish Bingham’s showing, he added: ‘For a guy who hasn’t played for a while and is still trying to get his fitness, he linked the game very well.’
lawrence shankland scooped one early effort well over the bar as the visitors enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.
The striker then had a header go the same way as United enjoyed the bulk of possession.
Midfielder Ian Harkes almost found a way through when he collected a long ball from Jamie Robson. The American’s first touch took him away from his marker but his ball towards the near post was cleared before it could inflict any damage.
Peter Pawlett was next up with a driving run but his effort was tame as he shot straight into the arms of Alloa keeper Kieran Wright.
Calum Butcher then had a decent effort which went wide of the target as United sustained their early pressure.
However, as the rain and wind started to pick up, Alloa had a chance of their own when liam Dick almost connected in the six-yard box before Harkes got a foot in to deflect the danger.
Neilson found himself in hot water with referee steven Mclean after he contested an Iain Flannigan free-kick on the edge of the box.
If that was indicative of the frustration that United were feeling, it also acted as a source of inspiration for the hosts.
Kevin O’Hara took a run at the United defence before steering an effort high and wide, with Alloa closing out the first half by trying to force their way into the game.
United emerged from the break with a spring in their steps as they sought to recreate the energy of the opening stages. Bingham had a shot palmed away by Wright, while Harkes was denied as he tried to shoot from distance.
United defender Mark Connolly headed just over from a Pawlett corner but it was Alloa who came closest to finding the opener.
Ben stirling rose high to meet a Kevin Cawley corner but his attempt was booted away by United keeper Benjamin siegrist.
United’s Dillon Powers clipped an effort just wide, while shankland ended the match just as he had begun it with an effort steered over the bar.
The point moves Alloa three clear of Partick Thistle at the bottom and Grant declared: ‘We deserved a point for the guts and determination we showed.’
ALLOA (4-4-2): Wright; Stirling, Taggart, Deas, Dick; Cawley, Flannigan, Hetherington, Malcolm (Connolly 67); O’Hara, Thomson (Trouten 76). Subs not used: Wilson, Buchanan, O’Donnell; Gilhooly. Booked: Stirling. DUNDEE UNITED (4-4-2): Siegrist; Smith, Connolly, Watson, Robson; Harkes (Sporle 78), Butcher, Powers, Pawlett; Bingham, Shankland. Subs not used: Mehmet, Reynolds, Glass, Freeman, Appere, Neilson. Booked: Butcher, Robson. Referee: Steven McLean. Attendance: 1,442.