Scottish Premiership: United's survival bid gains fresh impetus
Sunday 3 April 2016 16:37, UK
Dundee United's unlikely quest for Premiership survival received another shot in the arm as they narrowed the gap on Kilmarnock to five points with a 1-0 victory at St Johnstone.
United recorded their fourth win in their last six league games as they overcame the dismissal of Coll Donaldson to prevail in Perth thanks to Ryan Dow's goal while Kilmarnock drew 0-0 at Partick Thistle.
Elsewhere, United's neighbours Dundee beat Ross County 5-2 to vault the Highlanders into the top half while an injury-time goal from Marvin Johnson gave rejuvenated Motherwell a 2-1 win at Inverness.
United were on top from the off at McDiarmid Park, John Rankin spurning a glorious chance inside the first minute. Alan Mannus was earning his corn in the home goal but he undid all his good work when he allowed Dow's shot to slip through his grasp.
Donaldson was ordered off on the hour after hauling down Chris Kane who was looking to scamper clear.
Murray Davidson had his head in his hands shortly after as his snap-shot cracked back off the crossbar, but it was to be the away end that was celebrating at the final whistle, their hope emboldened by the fact that the gap to 11th-placed Kilmarnock could shrink to two points should United prevail at Firhill on Tuesday night.
Dundee claimed their first win in five games in a entertaining afternoon at Dens Park.
The hosts went ahead through Greg Stewart's fine left-foot effort and Kane Hemmings 23rd of the season extended the advantage before 10 minutes had elapsed, only for County skipper Andrew Davies to halve the deficit with a thumping header.
The home side restored their two-goal cushion through Rory Loy (38), but there was still time for Alex Schalk to bookend a breathless opening half with a fine individual effort (45).
The home support had to wait until five minutes from time before they could breathe easy, late goals from Craig Wighton and Stewart securing the win.
Ailing Kilmarnock are still searching for their first victory under Lee Clark as they had to settle for a point at Firhill.
Miles Addison hit the post with an early header while Thistle's principal threat came from winger David Amoo, who showed plenty of guile and graft down the right.
Kris Boyd has the ball in the net but his effort was chalked off while Mathias Pogba was also denied by the referee's whistle as it finished goalless.
After a quiet opening period in the Highlands, Lionel Ainsworth gave Motherwell the lead just after the hour as his looping effort drifted over Inverness keeper Owain Fon Williams and Gary Warren on the line.
Iain Vigurs (70) levelled from the penalty spot after Ross Draper went down under Keith Lasley's challenge but Johnson pounced on the counter in added time as Mark McGhee's side jump up to fourth on the back of their fifth straight win.
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