JON DALY reckons it's time Dundee United started leading from the front in matches.

Peter Houston's side have lost the first goal in their last three games, but came back against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hibernian to claim wins, and scored late to draw with Kilmarnock.

Daly, the captain, is delighted to see such resilience within the dressing-room but would love them to take the lead against St Mirren tonight.

He said: "That's three games in a row we have had to come from behind lately so it would be nice to take the lead and go at it from the front. It happened against Inverness, against Kilmarnock and then again against Hibs. It's good to be able to do it but you don't want to have to resort to coming back too often.

Daly took his tally of goals to 12 for the season last weekend and praised full-back Paul Dixon for setting him up.

The former Dundee defender has been outstanding this season and Daly rates him as one of the best in Scotland in his position.

He said: "Dicker's delivery is brilliant, as an attacking full-back he's up there with anyone in the SPL.

"When he gets the ball we know to get into the box because he'll find you with that left foot of his."

United face a St Mirren team who will be brimming with confidence after their win against Rangers on Christmas Eve.

Houston, the United manager, will welcome back Willo Flood after a bout of flu, and is full of admiration for St Mirren but believes his team can go there with confidence.

He said: "St Mirren got a great result at the weekend. Beating the Old Firm at any time is a great achievement.

"I have watched the game back and St Mirren were excellent. They have a lot of dangerous players so we know how tough it's going to be. They have threats all over the pitch and the fact it's away from home means we're going to have to be at our very best."

Danny Lennon, the St Mirren manager, has meanwhile demanded more of the same from his players against Dundee United.

Lennon believes their positive results this season have been down to the club's commitment to developing their young players and he insists consistency is now key in the games ahead.

He said: "That's the challenge. We had seven players under the age of 24 in the starting 11 on Saturday.

"Developing fresh young talent is what it's about here. They are performing well and the future is bright.

"The challenge for those young players is to show consistency.

Victory would allow St Mirren to leapfrog United into the top six in the SPL table.

Lennon added: "We face a difficult one. They are on a good run and have only lost to the Old Firm in their last nine games but we have a good record against Dundee United."

The Paisley club attracted a crowd of 6711 to their festive fixture against Rangers and Lennon was thrilled to be able reward their supporters with the points ahead of another home match.

He said: "It was a great feeling to repay them for their loyalty. It was tremendous and we are looking to continue that."