ROSS County may still be basking in the glow from lifting their first piece of silverware this term, but Dundee United appear determined to ensure their pursuit of a second trophy is a considerably more fraught one.
Robbie Neilson’s side were hugely impressive as they claimed a richly-merited 1-0 triumph over a Dunfermline team who had won their previous five matches without conceding a single goal.
The margin of victory, secured courtesy of a first-half strike from Peter Pawlett, ultimately flattered the hosts, with Pars goalkeeper Ryan Scully inspired throughout.
United are now just two points behind County, who claimed the Irn-Bru Cup on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Connah’s Quay Nomads, albeit the Highlanders will draw ample comfort from their two matches in hand. We may yet see a title race in the Championship.
Pavol Safranko was leading the line for the Tannadice outfit just 48 hours after featuring for Slovakia in the Euro 2020 qualifying defeat against Wales and the towering striker soon justified Neilson’s decision to pitch him straight back into club action. He was irrepressible all night.
Safranko rose highest to nod a hopeful long pass into the path of Pawlett after 24 minutes, allowing the waspish winger to show electric pace and hare past Lee Ashcroft and Daniel Devine before slotting a clinical finish past Scully.
Emboldened by their advantage, United turned the screw. A goal-line block was required from James Craigen after Safranko rose highest to meet a Paul McMullan corner-kick, before Scully produced a magnificent low save to deny Pawlett.
Scully was called into action again to parry a Calum Butcher header clear before recovering admirably to block Safranko’s subsequent overhead kick. By the time Pawlett forced another finger-tip save from the Pars keeper, the hosts were simply holding out for the half-time whistle.
However, the second period followed a similar pattern to the previous 45 minutes, with United the more threatening proposition. Safranko rattled the cross-bar with a thundering header following a super Pawlett corner but his failure to notch a deserved goal did not prove costly.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here