Wighton laps it up as Neilson slams lacklustre United
ROBBIE NEILSON blasted his champions-elect Dundee United side — then challenged them to go on another golden run of form.
The high-flying Tangerines were brought crashing down to earth by part-time visitors Arbroath, who became the first side to win in the league at Tannadice this season, thanks to former Dundee kid Craig Wighton’s first-half strike.
United, who lead nearest challengers Inverness Caley Thistle by 17 points, tasted defeat for the first time in 13 games since losing to Queen of the South at Palmerston back in October.
Boss Neilson made no excuses for the league leaders’ lacklustre display and ordered them to bounce back at the earliest opportunity as they aim to wrap up the Championship title in the coming weeks.
Neilson said: ‘The first half lost us the game. We were nowhere near the levels we want to get at. We gave away a very poor goal.
‘It’s one of the easiest goals you’ll ever see, with a two-versus-one situation out wide, letting the cross in and just not defending it.
‘Once you do that, it’s an uphill battle against a team like Arbroath, who are very well organised.
‘I said at the start of the season that we’re going to lose games in the league but the key thing is how you respond. The last time we got beaten we then went on a great run, so we just need to react quickly.
‘We need to make sure we get back to winning ways against Alloa a week on Friday.’
Arbroath arrived on Tayside with little fear having given their top-of-the-table opponents a major scare earlier in the season by coming within minutes of pulling off a shock Tannadice victory before Lawrence Shankland notched a double right at the death. The hosts began brightly enough as midfielder Calum Butcher saw his long-range effort deflected wide for a corner.
But, in 17 minutes, Osman Sow was stretchered off after going over his ankle with nobody near him. He was replaced by youngster Declan Glass.
United did have a chance shortly after when Shankland released Peter Pawlett, who unleashed a low drive which was parried away by visiting keeper Derek Gaston.
But Arbroath leapt into a surprise lead after 26 minutes. Colin Hamilton found space down the left before crossing for on-loan Hearts striker Wighton.
He did just enough to flick his finish past Benjamin Siegrist, who got a hand to it but couldn’t prevent it from nestling in the net.
That gave the home team a shake. Substitute Glass came close with an effort from distance, only for Gaston to tip it over the bar.
United must have had Neilson’s words still ringing in their ears from half-time as they began much more positively after the break.
Shankland had an opportunity to level when a loose ball fell to his feet but curled his shot from an acute angle wide of the far post.
Glass was then forced off with a head knock on the hour mark to be replaced by American Ian Harkes as the league leaders desperately chased an equaliser.
With 10 minutes left, Shankland seemed set to score from Adrian Sporle’s pass but somehow shot right at Gaston.
Arbroath assistant manager Ian Campbell said: ‘It’s three marvellous points for us.
‘We’ve got a lot more ability than people give us credit for, which we proved here.We came close here earlier in the season, so this was sweet.’