AS far as turnarounds go, this has surely got to be up there with the most breathtaking of revivals.

Few could have predicted such a remarkable resurgence and there's little to suggest it's about to come to an end any time soon.

Ross County are the form team in the country. It all kicked off in January and since then they've collected even more points than leaders Celtic in their efforts to stave off the threat of relegation, which took another significant step towards accomplishment in yesterday's victory over Dundee United.

Jim McIntyre's team, who've taken 19 points from their last 21, were rock-bottom of the Premiership back in the New Year. But their revival in a whirlwind past few weeks sees them now sitting an impressive 10 points clear of bottom-club St Mirren with this latest triumph on Tayside coming as their sixth win in seven games.

Raffaele De Vita's 72nd minute winner came after Jackson Irvine had given the visitors an 11th minute header, before Nadir Ciftci's 20th minute penalty levelled matters for the hosts who haven't won in nine games.

Still, there's little chance of County getting carried away especially with someone as level-headed as McIntyre at the helm.

"We scored the first goal against the run of play to be honest because United came flying out the traps," said McIntyre afterwards. "We had to defend for our lives at times and were under severe pressure early on.

"But we grew into the game and in the second half I thought we were excellent. It will still go all the way to the wire. That's not going to change.

"I think Motherwell have signed well and have got a bit of confidence going themselves.

"It will ebb and flow between now and the end of the season and the only thing we can affect is our own results."

County, having been under the cosh early on, struck first on 11 minutes when Martin Woods crossed for Irvine who rose unchallenged with a header past Radoslaw Cierzniak, the United keeper, and into the net from six-yards.

But in 20 minutes, United hauled themselves level courtesy of a spot-kick after Marcus Fraser pushed Aidan Connolly in the back as he weaved his way into the box.

Ciftci confidently stepped up to make it 1-1 by sending Mark Brown the wrong way for his 13th goal of the season.

The hosts went in search of another and just after the half-hour mark Paul Dixon's free-kick picked out John Souttar, but his header was comfortably held by Brown.

The second-half started with United defender Paul Dixon being booked on 51 minutes for a foul on Boyce, and De Vita joined him for dissent as matters became scrappy.

County thought they'd taken the lead in 69 minutes when Irvine's header from Wood's corner found the net, but Boyce was judged to have fouled Cierzniak.

However, they weren't to be denied as they took the lead on 72 minutes.

Filip Kiss' cross was met by Craig Curran whose header came off the post for De Vita to slot home.

It rounded off a trying week for Jackie McNamara's side after far-reaching claims from fans' groups that their manager and other employees may have benefited financially in relation to transfers of players leaving the club.

"I didn't think we deserved to lose," reflected a disappointed McNamara afterwards.

"But we lost two bad goals and that's what cost us. The story shouldn't be out but it is.

"And that's why the club came out to clarify the situation which they shouldn't need to. Now we have a massive game on Wednesday (against Dundee) and that's where my focus will be."

Dundee United (4-2-1-3): Cierzniak, Dillon, Souttar, Fojut, Dixon, Paton (Telfer 74) Rankin, Erskine, Spittal (Anier 80) Connolly (Muirhead 72) Ciftci.

Booked: Dixon (51)

Ross County (4-2-3-1): Brown, Boyd, Boyce (Palazuelos 80), Reckord, Irvine, Woods, Fraser, Quinn, Kiss, Curran (Sernas 90), De Vita (Dingwall 76) Booked: Quinn (14), De Vita (51), Woods (54)

Referee: Steven McLean. Attendance: 6,187