Tangerine dream as Neilson eyes top spot
DUNDEE UNITED 2
STANTON (22), SAFRANKO (53) FALKIRK 1
MUIRHEAD (PEN, 90+2)
Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson watched his title hopefuls get back in the winning groove against 10-man Falkirk – then challenged them to turn up the heat at the top of the table in the weeks ahead.
The Tangerines ended a three-game winless streak thanks to Sam Stanton’s 22nd-minute opener before Pavol Safranko made it 2-0 early in the second half.
Former United favourite Paul Paton was sent-off at 64 minutes for headbutting Safranko, although Ray McKinnon’s bottom-dogs did give themselves a late lifeline through Aaron Muirhead’s 92nd-minute penalty.
But Neilson’s men held on for a valuable three points and the ex-Hearts and MK Dons gaffer has thrown down the gauntlet over the crucial festive period as they now trail new Championship leaders Ross County by just four points.
Neilson said: “It’s massive to get back to winning ways. I thought we were very much in control, although we made it difficult for ourselves.
“But come the end of the season, if we achieve what we want to achieve then nobody will be too bothered.
“We had lost one and drawn two before, which wasn’t good enough, so this is what we needed.
“There was an obvious expectation being at home against a team that’s bottom of the table.
“Now we want to build some momentum again when we face Alloa and then Partick Thistle.
“We’ve got a difficult January as well but, hopefully, we can kick on like we know we are capable of.”
Falkirk arrived on Tayside still propping up the Championship but were unbeaten in five league games following their recent 0-0 draw with Morton.
It was a brisk start from both sides who were desperate for different reasons to head into Christmas with a win.
United’s last home outing ended in a 5-0 defeat by rivals Ayr United, so they knew they had to make it up to their fans.
It was the Tangerines who went ahead midway inside the first-half thanks to a slice of good fortune.
Stanton picked up possession 20 yards from goal and had nothing else on his mind but letting fly.
The former Hibs midfielder unleashed his left-foot effort, which took a deflection off Muirhead to leave visiting keeper David Mitchel wrong-footed and bring a huge sense of relief to the hosts.
Stanton’s confidence was up and soon after he attempted a similar shot from
outside the penalty area which this time Mitchell gathered.
Falkirk had lost their way and, in 33 minutes, striker Rudden was shown a yellow-card by referee Steven Kirkland for dissent.
United’s next chance arose after a long kick downfield from Siegrist which released Paul McMullan.
After racing into the box, McMullan laid the ball back for Stanton, but he fired over the bar.
The second half started much the same with the hosts on top and Frans’ header from Aird’s free-kick went just inches over the top.
But Safranko struck with a textbook header at 53 minutes from Aird’s corner which nestled in the far corner.
Paton then walked for a straight red card after head-butting Safranko in a flare-up which saw the Slovakian striker receive a yellow card.
With 15 minutes left, McMullan missed a chance to make it 3-0 by blazing over the bar from 14-yards.
But Falkirk pulled it back, deep into injury-time, when sub Dennon Lewis was brought down by United substitute Watson and Muirhead made no mistake from the spot.
Bairns boss McKinnon said: “We can take great hope from the spirit we showed going down to 10 men.
“We got the penalty and put United under some pressure so that says a lot of for the lads.”