The Dundee United defender prizes every goal he scores, so rarely does it happen, that he was peeved when Hamilton�s Brian Easton was credited with an own goal in the dying seconds at Tannadice.

Darren Dods points against St Mirren, after being robbed of a goal last weekend.

The Dundee United defender prizes every goal he scores, so rarely does it happen, that he was peeved when Hamilton's Brian Easton was credited with an own goal in the dying seconds at Tannadice.

Dods was adamant he had scored and even had to suffer striker Jon Daly laying claim to the strike. Television evidence later backed up his argument that the ball had taken only a slight deflection.

Dods said: "I watched the Hamilton game back on the video and it definitely looks like my goal - I can't believe I didn't get it. I knocked the ball towards goal then it deflected against their player so it was a bit harsh on him for it to have been given as an own goal.

"It's frustrating to miss out on getting the credit but three points this weekend would more than make up for it."

There was plenty of fall-out from last weekend's encounter, with United manager Craig Levein rounding on Hamilton's "negative" tactics. Dods expects a far more open match this afternoon but knows that if he and his team-mates have real aspirations of finishing third they will need to meet the physical challenges head on throughout the season.

He said: "We know that teams are sometimes going to sit in against us so it's up to us to break them down. Teams will be physical but we're got players who can handle themselves.

"It's part of football at times and you just have to get on with it. We want to be up at the top end of the table and that means teams will look at you as a scalp so sometimes you need to dig in."

United have recently come off a 10-game unbeaten run and after two matches without a win they have allowed Hearts to move into third place. With the league so tight, Dods knows it's time to pick up points to prevent the chasing pack from closing in.

He said: "Hearts are on a good run of form just now so there's a bit of a battle going on. The league is so tight these days that a few results is enough to take you right up the table.

"We had a long unbeaten run but it came to an end so now we just want to get back to winning ways and take it from there."

Meanwhile, Gus MacPherson, the St Mirren manager, has challenged his side to show a ruthless streak as they look for their first win in seven games.

The Paisley side have managed just one home win this season, scoring only three league goals at Love Street and 10 in the entire campaign.

MacPherson insists his players need to transform decent performances into points.

"It's been frustrating at home," he said. "Coming out of our last six games, not scoring against Hearts and Hibs and only taking a point was frustrating. When we're on top and in control of games and the opportunities come along, we need to take them.

"It's not just strikers, it's midfielders or from set-pieces; you need to be more ruthless in front of goal. We've set a standard we're pleased with, although we're frustrated that we've not picked up points."

With Jim Hamilton, Craig Dargo, Dennis Wyness and Billy Mehmet all vying for slots in attack, MacPherson believes he possesses the firepower to get goals.

He said: "We felt we needed an experienced striker and we brought in Jim, Craig and Dennis, who all have good experience. Billy's still a young player learning his trade but they've all got SPL pedigree.

"They've all shown they're good players but it's trying to get that partnership, and if they're performing, we'll stick with it."

There was good news for St Mirren yesterday after Barr Construction received the building warrant for the construction phase of their new stadium on the Paisley's Greenhill Road. Barr now need to obtain a safety certificate and SPL licensing approval before the keys are handed over next month.