Match Report | DUTD 2-1 RCFC

Dundee United came from behind to defeat Ross County 2-1 at Tannadice this evening in the cinch Premiership.

Regan Charles-Cook fired Malky Mackay’s side ahead before a late double from Nicky Clark stole all 3 points for the hosts.

The Staggies failed to assert their dominance in the first 45 minutes as United looked the more likely to side gaining the advantage.

After just 10 minutes, the hosts had their first opportunity to go ahead. New signing Tony Watt picked the ball up in a wide area before delivering a teasing cross to the back post for Marc McNulty. McNulty stretched to get on the end of Watt’s cross but the striker failed to direct his attempt on target.

On the 27th minute, the travelling County support appealed for a penalty after Dylan Levitt appeared to control the ball with his arm inside his own box. However, the referee was not interested in the visitors’ protests as play was urged to continue.

2 minutes later, Marc McNulty passed up another opportunity to send his side in front when he failed to capitalise on Alex Iacovitti’s defensive mishap. Iacovitti tried to progress the ball forward from his own half but his hesitance in possession was detected by McNulty who stole the ball from the defender and burst towards goal. However, the former Scottish international took his shot too early and his low, tame effort was easily collected by Ashley Maynard-Brewer in goal.

Malky Mackay’s side were struggling to compete with the Tangerines’ first half dominance but they were able to enter the break on level terms.

After an uninspiring first 45 minutes, County raised their game in the second period and shortly found a goal just 8 minutes after the restart.

Jack Baldwin’s attempt was beaten away by Benjamin Siegrist, but the United keeper could only parry the ball as far as Regan Charles-Cook. The winger retrieved the ball left of goal and chopped back inside before lifting the ball into the net from an acute angle to give the Staggies the lead.

Midway through the second half, Charles-Cook almost added a second for Staggies. The Grenada international drove into the box and unleashed a powerful shot goal-ward but his driven attempt was well beaten away by Siegrist in goal.

Dundee United drew level with 20 minutes to play when Declan Drysdale gave away his second penalty kick in as many games. The January recruit was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and Nicky Clark calmly fired the resulting penalty into the bottom right corner.

In the final minutes of the match, Joseph Hungbo came close to finding a winner for the Staggies on two occasions. The Watford-loaner initially had a close-range first time effort stopped by Siegrist shortly before being denied from a rasping 20-yard attempt just seconds later.

Despite County’s second half superiority, it would be the hosts who would run away with all 3 points when Nicky Clark found a winner with his head in the final minute of the match. The striker got on the end of Tony Watt’s cross, grabbing winner with a stunning stoppage-time header to devastate the Staggies.