Goals change games as the saying goes and the adage rung true for Ross County tonight.
A promising 20 minute opening from the Staggies ultimately counted for nothing as a mistake gifted Dundee United the breakthrough goal before a superb break from the Tangerines early in the second half led to the visitors doubling their lead.
United’s attack proved too quick and too incisive for the home side and another fine counter-attacking move ended County’s hopes of getting something from the game just before the hour mark.
A late flurry gave the home side hope but United were worth their win in this one.
County manager Jim McIntyre made two changes to the side which was eliminated from the Scottish Cup by St Johnstone last weekend.
Scott Boyd dropped to the bench while Graham Carey missed out due to his wife going into labour. Taking their place in the starting 11 were Lewis Toshney and Steven Ross.
United, who beat Motherwell 2-1 in their Scottish Cup tie last weekend, made two changes too with Nadir Ciftci and Calum Butcher replacing Gary Mackay-Steven and SPFL young player of the month for November, Charlie Telfer, both of whom were named among the substitutes.
United have held the upper hand against the Staggies with nine wins and just two defeats from their 15 meetings with County so far, their most recent win coming in the last meeting of the sides at Tannadice on August 23 where Jackie McNamara’s side won 2-1.
Jake Jervis continued in the role of the lone forward for the home side and his team started brightly with Tony Dingwall’s low enticing cross deserving of a finish by one his team-mates but there were no takers. Martin Woods also called United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak into action but the goalkeeper held his well struck 30 yard free kick.
It was not long before Mark Brown was called into action at the other end with the County goalkeeper doing well to palm away Chris Erskine’s shot from a similar distance after the player had ran unchallenged from the halfway line.
The home side continued to push for an opener though and Ross should have done better when Joe Cardle cut the ball back into his path but the youngster, who was on loan at Brora Rangers last season, seemed to be caught by surprise at the ball reaching him and he failed to test Cierzniak.
But a promising start for the home side was quickly forgotten as United opened the scoring against the run of play. Nadir Ciftci rolled the ball into the empty net for United but he was given a helping hand by defender Paul Quinn, who failed to get enough on his attempted pass back to his goalkeeper, allowing the United forward in to score.
United’s tails were up and they should have been two up just minutes later as Cifci and Erskine combined to create a chance for Stuart Armstrong, but Brown did well to block his strike.
The home side continued to commit men forward with full backs Richie Brittain and Jamie Reckord so advanced they played as wingers at times, but crucially, for all County’s attacking play, Cierzniak dealt comfortably with whatever came his way.
County came out fired up for the second half and created another couple of half chances, but yet again it was United who struck in devastating fashion with a terrific counter-attack which ended with Calum Butcher playing Armstrong through on goal. The midfielder showed the same poise as Ciftci for the opener, rounding Brown before rolling the ball into the empty net.
McIntyre needed a goal from somewhere to give his side hope and he sent Liam Boyce on in the hope of getting it but it was the visitors who put the game beyond their opponents in clinical fashion as the excellent Erskine’s terrific through ball sent Ciftci clear and he finished in style to make it 3-0.
County substitute Yoann Arquin came off the bench to pull one goal back for the home side but County’s slim chances were extinguished when substitute Liam Boyce was sent off for a lunging challenge on Paul Paton.
Darren Maatsen raised hopes of a late rally when he reduced the deficit to one goal with a minute remaining but the Tangerines held on to take all three points.