McKinnon can’t fault United for stalemate

DUNDEE UNITED manager Ray McKinnon hailed the desire shown by his players despite failing to win against Morton.

The Tannadice club extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches but could not find a way past Cappielow goalkeeper Derek Gaston, who produced several excellent saves.

United are now three points behind Championship leaders Hibernian, while Morton — themselves unbeaten in seven league games — remain in third spot.

McKinnon was upbeat, despite his team failing to keep the pace at the top of the league.

‘I’m pleased with my players because this is a hard place to come,’ he said. ‘You can see why Morton are doing so well in the league. They’re very organised.

‘Overall, our attitude to try to win the game was correct. We didn’t get what we might have deserved.

‘The most pleasing thing for me was our desire to win the game in the last 30 minutes. But we have to take it on the chin and move forward.’

With just a minute on the clock, Charlie Telfer came close to firing United ahead, but his 20-yard shot flew inches over the bar.

It was a scrappy opening half-hour but Morton had their moments. Ross Forbes curled a shot from the edge of the penalty box before Andy Murdoch tried his luck from 25 yards, but both efforts were saved by United goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

Tannadice striker Simon Murray should have done better 10 minutes before the break when he was played through on the left, but his first-time shot was tame and held by Morton No1 Gaston.

The best chance of the half came seven minutes before the break when Morton striker Jai Quitongo robbed Willo Flood of possession in the box. The 19-year-old jinked his way to the right and watched his shot flash across the sixyard box and sail wide.

The hosts nearly broke the deadlock nine minutes after half-time when Gary Oliver slipped the ball to Jamie Lindsay just inside the box, but his shot was straight at Bell.

United should have scored midway through the half when Scott Fraser met a teasing delivery eight yards out, but his volley was brilliantly saved by Gaston.

Three minutes from time, Blair Spittal’s cross from the right found Jamie Robson at the back post, but his shot was blocked by the feet of Gaston.

Morton manager Jim Duffy was pleased with a point and singled out Gaston for his superb performance.

‘It was not a bad 0-0 game,’ he said. ‘It was competitive. In the last 20 minutes, United were the better side.

‘Thankfully, Gaston was at the top of his game and pulled off a couple of great saves.

‘Over the 90 minutes, we are happy with a point.’