United open up nine-point gap at the top

Championship leaders Dundee United showed that there are more strings to their attacking bow by defeating visitors Queen of the South

3-0 whilst top scorer Lawrence Shankland was on the bench for Scotland in Cyprus, writes Craig P Stewart.

The Doonhamers had thumped the Tannadice side 4-0 in an October meeting but after Nicky Clark’s free-kick had gone close to an opener for the hosts, Paul Mcmullan scored with a low shot from 20 yards after smart build-up play from Louis Appere.

Mcmullan was the architect of United’s second goal just before half-time when he sent a pass piercing through the visiting defence for Clark to guide home from 12 yards.

A nine-point lead at the summit was assured early into the second half when Sam Stanton drifted past a couple of Doonhamers and steered a shot past Robbie Mccrorie, with only Stephen Dobbie coming close to troubling home shot-stopper Benjamin Siegrist.

United manager Robbie Nielson, pictured, believed that the win was a vital one as he explained: “We kept a clean sheet, other players showed what they can do in the absence of Lawrence and we have created a decent advantage at the top.

“It was good to play and even better to win. If we keep winning games between now and May we will get to where we want to be.”

Arbroath had headed to Cappielow looking to break into the top four but they were caught cold by Morton as the Greenock men scored the winner in a 1-0 success after just three minutes. The early strike came when Jack Baird broke forward and Jim Mcalister helped his pass reach Reece Lyon, who fired past former team-mate Derek Gaston.

The Red Lichties left disappointed after not being awarded a second-half penalty when Billy King looked to have flattened Colin Hamilton.