United loss sees title hopes fade
DUNDEE UNITED’S faltering title hopes were eroded further at Stark’s Park as the Tangerines, who were beaten by basement side St Mirren in midweek, fell to yet another defeat.
They were easily swept aside by an energetic Raith Rovers side who demonstrated emphatically they had recovered from last weekend’s hammering at Dumbarton.
Rovers’ manager John Hughes had been hugely critical of his players after the Dumbarton game but he was full of praise for the manner in which they responded.
“What was said last week needed to be said,” reflected Yogi.
“Harsh words were used but I was looking for a reaction and I certainly got it today.
“I’m delighted with the result and I feel we could have scored more with the chances we had.”
United boss Ray McKinnon wielded the axe following his team’s dismal performance in Paisley, making no less than four changes and his strategy appeared justified during the opening stages as the Tannadice men threatened to swamp their Fife rivals.
Tony Andreu shot narrowly wide in the sixth minute as the visitors pushed for the opener and William Edjenguele squandered a glorious opportunity two minutes later as he failed to finish off Andreu’s cross with the goal at his mercy.
The cracks in the United armour began to become apparent, however. After Rovers withstood the opening bombardment and a defensive mix-up between Willo Flood and Stewart Murdoch gave Ryan Hardie a clear sight of goal, the on-loan Rangers youngster seeing his shot saved superbly by the alert Cammy Bell.
Shortly after the dust settled from this particular escape, the Arabs’ defensive frailties were exposed once again when a precise pass from Declan McManus found the unmarked Jordan Thompson, but his shot slipped wide of Bell’s post.
There seemed little urgency in United’s play and there appeared to be an air of resignation amongst the travelling supporters when Raith took the lead just before the interval.
Craig Barr took advantage of slack marking as he rose unchallenged to head home powerfully from Chris Johnston’s free-kick.
With so much at stake from United’s point of view, a second-half reaction akin to that of a wounded animal was widely expected but the wound was merely further exposed three minutes after the restart when Raith extended their lead.
Jean-Yves M’Voto fed the ball through to Hardie who sent a low, angular shot beyond the helpless Bell.
Willo Flood’s shot was saved well by Pavol Penska before Simon Murray pulled one back for United with 10 minutes remaining but the Raith defence repelled their opponents’ late efforts to collect a welcome three points.
“That’s two difficult defeats in the past few days, both of which were self-inflicted” said a disappointed Ray McKinnon afterwards.
“We’re on a tough run just now and we’re making life difficult for ourselves but we’re better than that.
“I can’t take any poisitives from today – we need to start moving the ball around better and playing the way we know we can.”