Ross Graham’s header with 15 minutes remaining saw Dundee United all-but mathematically secure their place in the William Hill Scottish Premiership’s top six.
The match was frantic at times against Ross County, but lacked quality in front of goal so it was perhaps appropriate the game’s decisive moment came from a set-piece in the 1-0 victory.
While Don Cowie made a single change to his starting line-up with Alex Samuel taking the place of Nohan Kenneh, opposite number Jim Goodwin made two changes to a squad who had been stewing over their derby defeat throughout the international break.
Declan Gallagher and Allan Campbell dropped out, with Ross Docherty and Craig Sibbald in the starting line-up.
Josh Nisbet set up Noah Chilvers to have a blocked effort from the edge of the box, and Dundee United had two VAR reviews for penalties – both of which went with the on-field decision of no fouls.
Midway through the first half, County were inches away from scoring when Eli Campbell’s long throw was flicked on towards the far post by Kacper Lopata, only for visiting goalkeeper Jack Walton to get across to smother Alex Samuel’s attempt from close range.
In the 69th minute, United will feel like they should have gone ahead when Graham headed a corner into the ground, only to see it bounce past a post.
A similar scenario would see the away side break the deadlock, with Dundee United practically repeating the move five minutes later, but this time Graham would find the net to put the visitors in the lead.
Shortly afterwards, Campbell was needed to make a spectacular clearance off his own line to prevent Louis Moult making it 2-0.
Sam Dalby could have scored late on too, but saw his header fly straight into the hands of Jordan Amissah.
Although there has been plenty of late drama in Dingwall this season, including in the first meeting between these two sides, County could not find an equaliser to salvage something for their efforts.
Victory means Dundee United are six points clear of St Mirren in seventh with two games to go until the top flight splits, while the Staggies are four points behind sixth-placed Hearts and four clear of the relegation play-off spot.
What the managers said…
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin:
“We knew how difficult the game was going to be, and it was going to take a bit of resilience and team spirit to get this result.
“It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t a game full of real quality. Two competitive teams were going at it and we always thought one goal would be enough.
“We spoke during the week about getting back to basics and we set the players the target of a clean sheet because we always believe we’ll score.
“I’ve been in the game long enough to realise the top six is not done though. Until it’s mathematically done, we won’t be celebrating anything.
“St Mirren are in great form and they will fancy themselves in their next few games, and the goal difference isn’t so huge that it can’t be cut down.
“We won’t get carried away. It was important to get back to basics and do that well, and now we’ll look forward to Hearts.”
Ross County boss Don Cowie:
“It is frustrating that a set-piece was the difference because there wasn’t much in it in the first half.
“Dundee United are in the top six because they are relentless and we didn’t do enough to get back in it when we were 1-0 down.
“At no stage did we create any real momentum. We say all the time that we can go 1-0 down, it’s about how we react.
“There was plenty of time left in the game, and we didn’t show enough. We had plenty of quality on the pitch and with the way the squad is right now everyone is chomping at the bit to play, so I wanted to see a bit more.
“We’re an honest group and they know they could have done better in that second half.”
