Frustration for Fox in Dingwall
5 Dundee United in have not lost any of their last five meetings with Ross County
IT’S a measure of the sudden and dramatic transformation in Dundee United’s fortunes that they left Dingwall disappointed to have taken only a point.
This time eight days ago, Liam Fox’s beleaguered troops would no doubt have been happy and a little relieved at such an outcome.
But successive wins over Aberdeen and Hibs have instilled fresh belief in the camp, albeit they remain second bottom of the Premiership as a result of their dire start to the season.
After eight games without a single victory, United have clearly rediscovered self-belief to the extent that they expected to go on to make it three-in-a-row once Tony Watt had cancelled out Ross Callachan’s opener.
Callachan’s 39th-minute strike was in fact the first time County had scored a goal in the first half this term. But that goal apart, little else has changed at the foot of the table. County remain in 12th spot by dint of goals scored.
However, the Highanders will also be feeling better after securing a point to add to the three they garnered from their trip to Livingston the previous week.
But their need to find a regular goalscorer remains a priority for boss Malky Mackay. Six in 11 matches highlights the Dingwall side’s glaring weakness.
The anticipated six-point thriller never quite materialised. It was dour rather than dramatic and short on frills and thrills, although never lacking in effort and commitment.
County deserved their half-time advantage after Owura Edwards’ and Ben Purrington’s persistence down the left side paid off.
Edwards’ close control allowed him to provide Purrington with a return pass from which the full-back delivered a cross into the 18-yard box where he found Callachan.
While not entirely unmarked, Callachan had sufficient room to execute a
well taken first-time finish from 14 yards.
It was a wake-up call for United and their urgent response forced Ross Laidlaw to make saves from Glenn Middleton and Watt, in turn, to preserve the home side’s narrow advantage.
Watt again posed a threat seven minutes into the second period when he was quick enough to get off a shot in spite of the close attention of two defenders, narrowly missing the target.
It was no surprise then that when United equalised after 61 minutes, Watt was the scorer. Middleton’s cross from the left dropped perfectly for the striker to beat Laidlaw from close range at the back post.
County were on the back foot for a 25-minute spell but to their great credit they found fresh legs and either side might have snatched a late winner, with Dylan Levitt knocking on wood for United and Callum Johnson fluffing a header for County in stoppage time.
United boss Fox admitted: ‘If somebody had offered me seven points last Saturday morning, I’d have been very pleased.
‘Overall, the week has been a positive one, but I’m frustrated we didn’t take the three points. But this is a difficult venue and we were playing a decent side.
‘It is the first time this season we’ve taken something after going a goal behind, so overall it has been a positive day for us.
‘I just felt over the first half we were flat and looked leggy and a bit tired. But looking at my bench, there are players ready to step in if others don’t perform. That’s how I want it to be. The competition is healthy.’
County counterpart Mackay was full of praise for his players’ effort and commitment and for showing a positive mindset.
He reflected: ‘I thought we were terrific in the first half — we came out of the blocks fast and moved the ball well, got into their final third and got behind them.
‘We were good value for our lead and I’m just disappointed we didn’t get further ahead by half-time.
‘In the second half, we had 15 or 20 minutes where we had to make sure we defended properly and we got back into it again.
‘Then it was a decision whether I looked to hold on for a draw or tried to push for the win, and I felt there was enough space and ability on the pitch for us to do the latter.
‘I was delighted they had the courage to really push in that last 10 minutes, especially down this righthand side where I felt there were gaps and spaces.’
County now face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the ankle injury Purrington sustained in an accidental clash with Steven Fletcher minutes from the final whistle which necessitated him being helped from the pitch.