Tangerines make Staggies wait

At a cold and blustery Station Park, the Tangerines proved party-poopers as they denied their visitors the victory that would have sealed the title.

The Tannadice side – containing six first team players – went two up but County’s spirited comeback drew level and only some heroics by United keeper Brett Long prevented the Staggies securing victory.

United opened the scoring four minutes from the interval through Alex Nicholls after County failed to clear a corner.

Five minutes after the restart, Coll Donaldson swept home a Charlie Telfer cross for 2-0.

Just after the hour mark, only a fine save by Long kept out a deflected free-kick from Davis Keillor-Dunn, but former Tannadice youth wing-back Reghan Tumilty forced the ball home.

Staggies’ pressure intensified and was rewarded with the equaliser 10 minutes from time.

Gav Ritchie brought down the lively Keillor-Dunn and Dylan Dykes sent the keeper the wrong way from the resultant penalty.

Hard as County tried, they couldn’t beat Long again, so now must wait until Monday’s home meeting with Hamilton to pick up the three points required.

As the final whistle sounded, United defender Lewis Toshney required treatment on an arm injury after falling awkwardly.

Dundee United: Long, Ritchie, Dixon, Telfer, Toshney, C Donaldson, Mcmeekin, B Smith, Garden (Appere 77), Coote, Nicholls. Subs not used: Dailly, Hornby, Chalmers, Reekie.