Century maker Paul McMullan celebrated his 100th game for Dundee United by helping them to a 3-0 win over Queen of the South.
The wee wideman was presented with a commemorative jersey by United great Dave Narey before the match to mark the occasion and it just got better and better for McMullan when the action started.
On the day when it was confirmed that the £70,000 target to erect a statue of legendary manager Jim McLean had been met, it was all good news for the Tangerines.
This straightforward and well deserved victory took the Championship leaders nine points clear of second-placed Ayr United, who weren’t playing.
It saw them maintain their 100% home record in the league with a seventh consecutive victory at Tannadice – all achieved with the loss of just four goals.
The result also exacted some revenge for a certain dismal day in Dumfries last month, when United shipped four goals to the Doonhamers.
This wasn’t quite a case of Lawrence who? However, the other United players managed just fine without star striker Shankland as he was an unused substitute for Scotland in Cyprus.
Fittingly, McMullan grabbed the opening goal on appearance number 100 for him, the wee man finishing off a fine move with a sidefooted shot on 22 minutes after Louis Appere’s fine lay-off.
Nicky Clark slotted in United’s second, with McMullan the creator this time with a brilliant forward pass that sent his teammate through one on one with goalkeeper Robby McCrorie – a contest won by the United man.
The second period was only four minutes old when midfielder Sam Stanton – the Tangerines’ only change from their Dundee derby win – made it 3-0 to the Tangerines with a close-range strike up at the Shed end.
With the game in the bag for United, the visitors had a bit of a go after that goal but couldn’t breach the home defence.
With five minutes left, McMullan left the pitch to loud applause as he was replaced by youngster Chris Mochrie and the ovation was well earned.
