His team didn’t hit the heights they often have since his arrival last month but Robbie Neilson felt the win over Alloa included a number of significant positives.
While the Tangerines ran out 4-2 winners, Robbie admitted they were not at their best.
The fact they could still come out on top and make it five wins out of six unbeaten games under him was satisfying.
“I said in the build-up to this these games are harder. They’re harder than going up to Ross County, they’re harder than next week against (league leaders) Ayr will be because you are turning up and you are expected to win,” he said.
“Alloa turn up here and because they are expected not to win they have a freedom to go and play – and that’s the difference.
“But we answered a lot of questions. We went 1-0 down and could have crumbled but instead we went 2-1 up quickly, which was great.
“Then we go 3-1 up towards the end of the first half but lose a goal quickly and again is it going to be squeaky bum time?
“We stood up strong and, eventually, got the goal that kills the game.
“Throughout the course of a league season there are going to be games like that and the most important thing is we win.
“You are not going to play at your top level every week but, thankfully, the majority of the time so far we have played at our top level.
“This was one of the games when we didn’t but we still got three points.”
The gaffer was quick to add the opposition deserved praise for United being a touch below par.
“It wasn’t the level we wanted to get to but credit to Alloa and the way they play. They drop their three midfielders in at times to the centre-half area and, although they have a lot of possession in their own half, they don’t really get into yours.
“There was an impatience from us because we are at home and because we’ve been doing well, we feel we should dominate.
“At times it’s very hard to go and press because when you do, you open yourselves up at the back.
“That’s what they are looking to do, they are trying to draw you out and then hit you over the top.”
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