Dundee Utd 0
Ross County 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

United made three changes to the starting line-up. Most notably captain Jon Daly missed out after a knock sustained at McDiarmid Park prior to the international break.

County had conceded only once this season in a 1-1 draw with Celtic and they almost took an early lead in their quest to extend an unbeaten league run stretching back to 13 August 2011. For starters, Colin McMenamin headed over following an early corner for the visitors and the Dingwall outfit almost stole an opener shortly after but the ball would ricochet off McMenamin and wide for a goal kick. The Tangerines’ first chance would come through Johnny Russell. Out of nothing, the United striker wriggled his way through on the left side and did wonderfully well to work space for a shot which Michael Fraser saved with his feet. Russell would hit the rebound but only into the side-netting. The home side began to dominate in possession but the only real chance would fall to Michael Gardyne. The former Ross County man showed incredibly close control as he found space on the edge of the area and curled an excellent shot to the far corner. However, the attempt was equally well saved by Fraser.

The second half began much as the first had finished. County went close early on when an Iain Vigurs cross missed McMenamin allowing Cierzniak to stop Gary Glen fashioning a goalscoring chance. John Rankin would have the first real effort of the second period for United. However, his long range effort went straight at Fraser.
Referee Willie Collum then waved away penalty appeals, after Ross Tokely appeared to bring down Ryan Dow on the left of the area. The home fans were up in arms as the man in black instead gave a goal kick. County were withstanding increased pressure from the Terrors. Indeed, Dow troubled the visitors once more on the left and crossed into the area where the ball hit Grant Munro on the right foot and was gathered by Fraser. Collum ignored the pleas of players and Arabs in the stands as it appeared to be a deliberate pass-back. United were beginning to crank up the pressure and Fraser did well in a race with Rankin after a wonderfully weighted long ball forward. This was followed by probably the best attempt of the evening: Ryan Dow received the ball on the edge of the area and with acres of space clipped the ball over Fraser only to see his effort clip the top of the bar. United introduced 16-year-old Ryan Gauld as the match entered its final passages of play. This would herald a series of corners late on. Gavin Gunning’s back-post header from Willo Flood’s delivery was well saved by Fraser followed closely by an effort from Watson. However, the game would frustratingly end 0-0 with United and Ross County sitting joint second on the night with Celtic and Hibernian before the rest of the weekend’s round of matches.