Clark’s late winner for United keeps up the pressure on leaders
Dundee United ensured that Ross County could not party too hard after winning the Irnbru Cup by seeing off Alloa 2-1 at Tannadice.
The Wasps, who stung Robbie Neilson’s side win a 2-1 win back in December, proved to be irritating again and they took the lead after only six minutes when Jordan Kirkpatrick blasted in from close range after Benjamin Siegrist had misjudged a corner. There was no panic from the hosts and an equaliser came 21 minutes later, albeit in fortunate circumstances when Alloa skipper Andy Graham could only help a Nicky Clark header from a Jamie Robson free-kick into his own net.
The winner came seven minutes from time with Clark tapping in from close range after a Callum Booth pass travelled across the face of the Alloa goal.
Neilson, pictured, said: “Every team in this league has something to play for. Alloa are looking to stave off relegation and that made them really tough opponents. It was disappointing to go behind early and our quality was not good at that stage.
“However, we played ourselves back into things quickly and I never thought that we would lose even when we were behind.”
United’s comeback success, which came four days after a win over the Dingwall men, has reduced the gap from Neilson’s side to the table-topping County side to five points and that advantage could be cut further when United face Dunfermline tomorrow night.
Neilson added: “We have asked a question of Ross County and hopefully we can ask them a bigger question by winning tomorrow.”
Alloa manager Jim Goodwin was disappointed that his side came up short. He said: “To leave without anything was hard to take. We will take positives from our performance.”