Watched by their new owner, Dundee United moved to within striking distance of the top of the Championship with a hard-fought win over Dunfermline.
DUNDEE UNITED 1 Clark (81) DUNFERMLINE 0
Nicky Clark’s late header secured the points for United on a day when promotion rivals Ross County and Ayr United both lost.
The Tangerines are now just three points off the summit of the table.
And after leading his side to victory, manager Robbie Neilson last night sat down with United’s American owner Mark Ogren, who jetted in for the game, to plot an assault on the Championship title.
“It’s good to get a win in front of the new owner,” said Neilson.
“The three points were very important for us in the league, but, with the new owner coming over, he can see what we need now.
“We’re going to have a conversation tonight about targets and what we’re trying to do this window.
“It’s good that he saw us win, but also that he saw there’s still a lot of work to do here.
“I’m sure that’s what he’ll take away from it.” One win in six games isn’t promotion form.
So, for United, desperate to return to the Premiership, recent results have not been good enough.
But their second-half showing against Partick Thistle last week was a positive.
And the man who sparked it, Aidan Nesbitt, was again thrown on at half-time by Robbie Neilson. With both Ross County and Ayr United losing, United were desperate for a goal. But Dunfermline almost nicked one when Kallum Higginbotham latched onto Murdoch’s slack backpass, only to lose his footing and allow Siegrist to clear. It was tense stuff. But just as the home fans were preparing themselves for another frustrating afternoon, up popped substitute Clark to save the day.
And when he was picked out by fellow-sub Nesbitt six yards from goal, he pulled off a trademark headed finish.
Pars boss Stevie Crawford said: “It’s a sore one to take, we had a game plan and we were aggressive, pressing their midfield. “We have had only two training sessions, so there are positives.
“We lost the game, yes, but if we continue to do that, then we’ll start climbing the table.”