Dundee United captain Fraser Fyvie admitted they blew a glorious chance to pile pressure on the teams above them in the Championship.
The Tangerines took to the field against struggling Partick Thistle knowing they could move to within four points of leaders Ross County with victory at Tannadice on Saturday.
The Staggies lost their Friday night fixture at Morton, while second-placed Ayr United subsequently slipped up as they lost at home to faltering Falkirk.
It was an open goal for United but they could only hit the post, so to speak, with a disappointing 1-1 draw.
Fyvie was the one who got their goal with a penalty just after the hour but they just couldn’t find a winner.
Fyvie, asked if it was a frustrating result given what had happened to the sides above them in the table, replied: “Yes, I think so.
“Partick were miles better than us in the first half.
“They won every second ball but we showed a good reaction after the break and we controlled the game.
“We had four good chances we really should scored with, and we got a penalty.
“There was also a goal chalked off and I think Pavol Safranko has jumped higher than the keeper, who has put his hands up. It probably should have stood.
“I was underneath it and I think it was a goal.
“I think we should have won the game but we were not clinical enough in front of goal and that killed us.
“We’ve drawn 1-1 but we need to win these games.
“Teams have dropped points and we have dropped points, too.
“We are six points off Ross County but I think the league will go right to the wire.
“Look, if we want to have any intent of challenging Ross County and Ayr United to win the league then we need to start scoring goals and winning games.
“We let the fans down a little bit.
“They were getting on our backs – quite rightly so – but we should have won the game with our second half performance.”
United began their January recruitment with the signing of former MK Dons player Aidan Nesbitt, who came on as a half-time sub against the Jags.
Supporters can expect more new faces to arrive, with soon-to-be-appointed new sporting director Tony Asghar having been at the Thistle game.
Fyvie felt it was a decent debut from new teammate, Nesbitt saying: “When he came on he made a difference.
“He got into good positions in between their midfield and their back four.
“He hurt them on a few occasions and he could have scored two goals himself.
“To be fair to the lad, he’s not played in months so we can’t be hard on him.
“He’s been brilliant in training and he showed his quality during the game in areas where you can hurt teams. He will be a great addition to the squad.
“You always need to strengthen in a window.
“A change of face for the fans to see gives them a lift.
“The gaffer is willing to get people in and we need people in. We need quality in.
“I do think we can improve and good players would help us.”
