I’m chuffed Connolly got to make his Mark Neilson joy as comeback man ends injury hell with winner

Gordon Moffat believes Holm Park should be a fortress after his 10-men Bankies bounced back to avoid a pointless day.

Nicky Little bundled home in 54 minutes but Scott Morrison buried a penalty as Chris Black walked for handball.

Daniel Orsi volleyed Glens in front but Little sealed a double as his boss Moff said: “I won’t settle for a point as when we’re on our game we’re a match for anybody.” United gaffer Robbie Neilson couldn’t hide his delight as Mark Connolly ended his injury hell with the winner at Palmerston.

The 28-year- old defender hadn’t started for the Terrors since the 6-2 derby win over Dundee in August due to a hamstring injury.

But Robbie Neilson put his faith in the Irishman by throwing him back in with sk ipper Mark Reynolds dropping to the bench.

And he was rewarded as Connolly headed home the winner to keep United 14 points clear and avenge the 4- 0 scudding Queens dished out in Dumfries three months ago.

A delighted Neilson said: “Mark was out injured for a while then had to wait to get back in as the other two centre-halves have done well.

“But we just thought today with it being a plastic pitch and Reynolds isn’t really keen on it we should throw him in – and he did really well until he blew up late in the game.

“It was a great header for his goal. We had a few chances from set plays in the first half.

“A lot of teams will drop points here. We’re just happy to get the three points and get up the road. It’s a difficult place to come and play football and the last time we were here we got turned over.”

Queens had the first sniff of goal when Stephen Dobbie’s curler was easily held by Benjamin Siegrist.

And they should have led when a one- touch move between Scott Mercer, Jack Hamilton and Dobbie ended

Queen of South .. 0 Dundee Utd ......... 1

Fraser Wilson

with Hamilton’s effort being superbly blocked on the line by Liam Smith.

That came back to haunt the home side three minutes after the interval when Connolly lost his man to head home Nicky Clark’s corner.

It was almost 2- 0 when Smith tried his luck from 20 yards but Robby McCrorie was al ive to the situation and tipped the ball round the post.

Neilson’s men were well in control as Louis Appere had a shot def lected wide before Kevin Holt went close with a header for Queens as they chased the equaliser.

But United held out for a solid start to 2020 and sent the 700 travelling Tangerines back to Tayside happy.

Frustrated Queens boss Allan Johnston took a pop at United for time wasting and slammed: “I don’t think it was a great game of football. We had the best chance.

“Then in the second half Dundee United just tried to slow the game down. You expect a bit more from the league leaders.

“Everyone in the crowd was getting a bit frustrated with one after the other just falling down and trying to waste time.

“It’s frustrating but the referee has got to deal with that.The keeper was taking an age and after half an hour of it he was booked. It could’ve been done that 15 minutes earlier.

“People pay money to come and watch a game. They don’t want to see people rolling about the ground.”