Win must kickstart our escape act, warns Mixu

DUNDEE UNITED hope that Scottish Cup progress will enhance their top-flight survival effort after ending a streak of nine games without a win.

The 1-0 success at Airdrieonians was only the second of Mixu Paatelainen’s two-and-a-half month reign and United have 11 points to make up on Kilmarnock in the league.

Blair Spittal struck a splendid 79th-minute free-kick to secure a place in the last 16 for the Premiership strugglers.

And when asked if the win could spark a change in fortunes, Paatelainen said: ‘I hope so. The spirit hasn’t been too low at any point, credit to the players.

‘They’re good at believing. You can see the way we pass the ball and how every player is available that the spirit remains.

‘We were solid at the back, which is a positive, too. Airdrie tested us, especially corner kicks and long throws. They had pressure early on in our box but we handled them well.

‘We didn’t score in open play but that wonderful free-kick was enough. It was fantastic.’

Spittal beat United signing target, 18-year-old Rohan Ferguson, with a carbon copy of his set-piece goal against Dundee last Saturday.

Spittal said: ‘I was delighted with the goal but more delighted with our second-half performance.

‘We’d been saying we need a win to kickstart this bid to beat the drop. So we’ve got to build on this.

‘Last week was the first free-kick I think I’ve ever scored. I put that one down to luck. Hopefully, I can keep on doing that.’

Airdrie’s teenage keeper Ferguson was the subject of an offer from the Tannadice club in the build-up to the tie, a move that did not go down well with manager Eddie Wolecki Black.

United were twice denied by fine saves from Neil Parry’s replacement.

‘Rohan probably put a few thousand extra on the bid that was made,’ said Wolecki Black. ‘So we’ll see how that goes.’