Dundee Utd0–2Airdrie

A lacklustre midweek performance from United resulted in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a spirited and organised Airdrie side.

Manager Jim Goodwin made a number of changes to the side who defeated Queen's Park a few days prior. The injured David Wotherspoon dropped out of the squad, while Louis Moult, Jordan Tillson and Matty Cudjoe took places on the bench. Archie Meekison was handed his first start since September, coming into the starting eleven alongside Chris Mochrie, Alex Greive and Glenn Middleton.

United's attempts to stamp their authority on the match early fell flat as they struggled to test Joshua Rae in the Airdrie goal.

Alex Greive, making only his third start for United since signing on loan, looked to be in a creative mood with some clever runs to the byline, but despite a couple of dangerous cutbacks into the bo, United were unable to convert anything.

The first real chance of the game came for the away side on 25 minutes. A Charlie Telfer corner kick was met by Callum Fordyce who hit the ball first time down the neck of the goal, forcing Jack Walton to produce an excellent save to deny the Airdrie man.

Airdrie came close again six minutes later when a rasping Rhys McCabe shot was deflected out for a corner but the unsuspecting head of Kevin Holt.

United's best chance of the half came ten minutes before the interval after Tony Watt was fouled by McCabe 25 yards from goal. Striking the ball with power, Middleton's dipping left-footed free kick rattled the crossbar and came back into play, only for Chris Mochrie to fire the rebound high and over the bar.

Walton was called into action again on 39 minutes for what proved to be a comfortable save in the end, preventing Liam McStravick from scoring after the Northern Irish striker was played in on goal.

A minute later, Middleton will feel he could have done better after good work from a Watt layoff set the winger up for a chance just inside the area, but his eventual shot flew just over the bar.

Frustrations began to grow in the second half, with Watt picking up a yellow card for a dissent.

Misplaced passes and an apparent lack of cohesion were costing United dear as the second half continued, and it came as no surprise when the deadlock was eventually broken by the visitors.

On 59 minutes, United allowed former United man Telfer to send the ball into the box and Gabriel McGill was there to head past Walton to make it 1-0.

Substitutions followed as the manager tried to inject a response from his side, but despite seeing a lot of the ball, United were unable to really test the North Lanarkshire men.

A corner from Middleton was headed narrowly wide by Declan Gallagher on 63 minutes as United tried to get back into the game, but for every opportunity they had, Airdrie returned the favour, McGill heading over the bar at the other end three mintues later.

Kevin Holt almost added to his headed goal tally for the season with a downward header on 67 minutes after good work from Scott McMann to beat Telfer and cross into the box, but Rae reacted well to collect.

There were appeals for a penalty on 74 minutes after Middleton went down inside the box. A quick exchange between McMann and Fotheringham sent Middleton into the box, and it appeared the wide man had been barged by Fordyce before Ballantyne cleared the ball.

Attacking the East Stand, United were pressing in the latter stages, but as had been the theme of the evening, they were unable to test Rae.

United's misery was compounded by a late second for Airdrie, who ran clear after a United attack had broken down, and Josh O'Connor applied the finishing touch to fire past Walton.

The defeat – United's second in the month of February – allowed Raith Rovers, who drew a blank with Morton to pull level points, with United remaining in first place on goal difference alone.