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.
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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.
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