Dundee United returned to winning ways as they battled from behind to claim a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Queen’s Park.
Prolific Spiders front-man Ruari Paton gave Callum Davidson’s men the lead against the run of play, benefiting from an uncharacteristic error by Tangerines stopper Jack Walton.
However, Louis Moult equalised with a sensational free-kick, before Jordan Tillson completed the turnaround on the cusp of half-time.
And Glenn Middleton made the game safe in dying embers, ensuring the Terrors remain one point clear of Raith Rovers – who defeated Ayr 2-1 – in the race for the Championship crown.
Ringing the changes
Seeking to bounce back from a galling 2-1 loss against Rovers eight days prior, Jim Goodwin rang the changes with a bold United line-up at Tannadice.
Mathew Cudjoe and David Wotherspoon were deployed as inverted wingers, with young Miller Thomson – whose previous appearances for United have come as an attacker – replacing Liam Grimshaw at right-back.
Declan Gallagher replaced Ross Graham, while Kai Fotheringham and Middleton dropped out.
United crafted the best early opportunity when Cudjoe latched on to an intelligent Moult flick, dashing into the box before flashing a low drive narrowly wide.
There was an early blow for United when Wotherspoon limped off with just eight minutes on the clock. Fotheringham entered the fray.
Goodwin’s selection of Cudjoe on the right wing was paying dividends. Some of the Ghanaian’s flicks and tricks were an early delight. He even directed a header narrowly over the bar, belying his diminutive stature.
Spiders shock
Yet, the Spiders broke the deadlock in spite of the United pressure.
Dom Thomas set Louis Longridge free with an incisive pass and the winger’s relatively routine cross was fumbled by Walton, allowing Paton a tap-in for his 17th goal of the season.
The on-loan Luton stopper redeemed himself with a fine low stop to thwart Ben McPherson following a sweeping Queen’s Park counter-attack.
At the other end, Spiders keeper Calum Ferrie excelled with a wonderful fingertip stop to deny Fotheringham a leveller after United pieced together a slick move involving Moult and Tony Watt.
Moult magic sparks turnaround
However, the hosts would not have long to wait for parity to be restored.
A clumsy foul on Watt by ex-Rangers and Scotland defender Danny Wilson afforded the Tangerines an opportunity from 25 yards – and Moult’s sensational free-kick found the top-corner.
Craig Sibbald, outstanding in the first half, then almost produced a goal of the season contender, dancing past four players to find space in the box, only for Ferrie to save his subsequent shot.
Nevertheless, the turnaround was completed before the interval when Tillson headed home his first goal in United colours from a yard, meeting a scuffed Watt volley following Thomson’s corner.
Seeing it out
Cudjoe warmed the palms of Ferrie from the edge of the box after the break, while the Spiders illustrated their attacking threat when Thomas flashed a dangerous drive across the face of goal.
As Queen’s Park pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Walton was forced into a sprawling save to deny Thomas’ goal-bound free-kick.
However, nerves were eased with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Sibbald set Middleton free on the break and the United substitute found Greive on the right wing, before haring into the penalty area to clinically convert the low cross by the on-loan St Mirren man.
Star man: Craig Sibbald (Dundee United)
Given United lined up with an attack-minded 4-4-2, Sibbald and Tillson were left with a mighty shift in the engine room – and the duo turned in tireless showings.
However, Sibbald was the standout, making a host of blocks, interventions and interceptions. The ball was like a magnet to him, at times, particularly in the second half.
The former Falkirk and Livingston man was reliable and progressive in possession.
His afternoon could have been even better if his dazzling solo run in the first half had resulted in a goal.
Meanwhile, Thomson was fearless and positive, Gallagher was dominating, and Cudjoe was on course for star man prior to being replaced on the hour-mark.
Dundee United player ratings
(4-4-2): Walton 6; Thomson 7, Gallagher 7, Holt 7, McMann 6; Wotherspoon (Fotheringham 8, 6), Sibbald 8, Tillson 7 (Grimshaw 83), Cudjoe 7 (Middleton 62); Watt 6 (Meekison 82), Moult 7 (Greive 62). Subs not used: Newman, McClelland, Graham, Mochrie.
Ref: Ross Hardie
Att: 7,341 (177 away)
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