Dundee Utd 2 Ross County 1

Dundee United repaired last week’s disastrous derailment at Celtic Park to get their season back on track. But they left it late.

Despite dominating for long spells, they required a goal from substitute Chris Erskine with just three minutes left to earn the win.

“It was vital we won this game after last week,” admitted manager Jackie McNamara. “Given we were at home, it was important we put things right immediately for the fans. Although we left it late, this was a good victory.

“We had 30 attempts at goal so there is no doubt we deserved to win.”

But County manager Derek Adams is optimistic.

“We missed two open goals in the second half. That’s been the story of our season so far,” he said. “I saw enough to be confident we’ll turn the corner soon though.

“The way we took the game to United after the break was encouraging. We definitely deserved to take something.”

United took the lead after Yoann Arquin fouled Nadir Ciftci. Paul Paton delivered a well-flighted free kick that Ciftci powerfully headed beyond Reguero.

The visitors equalised out of the blue when Joe Cardle and Graham Carey combined down the left. From Carey’s cross, Jake Jervis blasted the ball home at the far post.

The United boss reckons his players were too gung-ho early in the second half trying to put the game to bed and this led to the breakaway equaliser.

It all came right in the end although the winner arrived courtesy of a howler from keeper Antonio Reguero. He made a hash of trying to clear an inswinging corner from Gary Mackay-Steven and could only direct the ball straight to Erskine who hammered it home from around 12 yards out.

Adams was right to point to glaring misses from Arquin and Jervis but there is no room to list United’s.

For lengthy periods, United ruled the roost with top of the ground players Mackay-Steven, John Rankin and Ryan Dow, in particular, thriving in the sunny, windless conditions.

With so much upheaval at Dingwall, it’s no surprise County are still struggling to find the right blend but Adams is confident results will turn soon.