TRIUMPH OPENS DOOR TO EUROPA CONTEST

Nicky Clark bagged a brace as Dundee United defeated Ross County to secure fourth place in the Premiership.

Blair Spittal opened the scoring from distance, only for Clark to level from the penalty spot within five minutes. Clark sealed the three points in the dying embers.

With Motherwell losing at Celtic, the victory sees United finish two points above the Steelmen and they will enter next season’s Europa Conference League at the third qualifying round stage.

United – whose job was to better Motherwell’s result at Celtic Park and pinch fourth – were roared on by a raucous 2,300-strong following.

Archie Meekison, a standout in United’s last three matches, flashed a dangerous drive narrowly wide following a fine pass by Ross Graham.

The 20-year-old would come even closer later in the half, rattling the base of the post following a fine surge through the heart of the County defence

It remains to be seen whether United can tempt Manchester United loan star Dylan Levitt back to Tannadice next term.

However, he should have marked his farewell – for now – with a goal in the second period, scuffing a shot wide following a ricochet.

With Celtic hammering Motherwell in Glasgow, United knew avoiding defeat in Dingwall would be enough to usurp the Steelmen.

But it would be the Staggies who struck first.

Spittal collected the ball on the edge of the box a curling a sumptuous shot past Siegrist.

Chasing a leveller, Kieran Freeman almost obliged in bizarre fashion, striking the post with a wayward cross.

But County’s lead did indeed prove fleeting.

Ilmari Niskanen was brought down by Paton in the box, allowing Clark – invariably clinical from the spot – to coolly slot home the resulting penalty.

Kevin McDonald almost slammed home a sensational goal from 30 yards, while Tony Watt saw a header cleared off the line. The winner did come after 89 minutes. Freeman produced a low cross for Clark to slot home from close-range – sparking a pitch invasion.