Dundee United pass up golden chance to get near league leaders

Dundee United passed up the opportunity to get themselves in touch with the Championship pacesetters with defeat at Falkirk.

The Tangerines went into the early Saturday evening encounter knowing that Hibs had unexpectedly lost their 100% league record to Ayr United.

A win for United would have got them to within four points but the 3-1 loss instead leaves them outside the play-off places and eight points off surprise frontrunners Queen of the South.

The score was 1-1 going into the last few minutes before United defender William Edjenguele diverted a Myles Hippolyte effort into his own net, and then Lee Miller scored with a header.

The opening goal of the game was very poor from United’s point of view with ex-Dundee man John Baird outjumping  Frank van der Struijk.

Tope Obedayi got the visitors’ leveller after an impressive move.

Falkirk move up to fourth, overtaking United in the process.

There could be even worse new for United, with Willo Flood going off in the second half through through injury, making him a doubt for Tuesday’s Betfred Cup quarter final away to Morton.