Dundee United skipper Jon Daly has expressed his frustration that the Tangerines failed to pick up their first league victory of 2012 against Motherwell on Saturday.
Peter Houston’s side dominated the first half at a windswept Tannadice and created a host of chances, but a combination of bad luck and outstanding saves by the Steelmen’s keeper Darren Randolph kept the score level until the 28th minute.
Cue Paul Dixon to send a dangerous cross in from the United left to the Motherwell near post, with Johnny Russell claiming the touch which sent the ball into the net. However, the consensus was that the unfortunate visitors’ captain Stephen Craigan should be credited with the goal.
There was a big reversal of fortunes in the second 45 with United sitting back and Motherwell very much in the driving seat. Despite carving out some outstanding opportunities, it looked as if their recent run of three defeats on the bounce was about to extend to four but, with just five minutes remaining, the impressive substitute Henrik Ojamaa hit the byeline before cutting the ball back for Michael Higdon.
The big Liverpudlian forward had been profligate all afternoon and was receiving a lot of stick from the ‘Well fans but this time he made no mistake, striking the ball high into Dusan Pernis’ net to salvage a draw.
Daly lamented the fact that United had lost their lead with just five minutes left but admitted they only had themselves to blame for not securing a win.
He said: ”It was disappointing to lose a goal so late on. I think first half we had a lot of chances and fair play to them they did as well but I just feel ours were more clear-cut. So we are unhappy to come away with just a point.”
He added: ”In the second half, we seemed to invite them on to us and they are always going to have opportunities if we do that. We didn’t get that vital second goal and we sat back a bit on our lead and probably got what we deserved in the end.”
Daly said: ”It is very frustrating as, if we had got the second, we might have gone on and scored a third or a fourth. But credit to Motherwell, they stuck in and worked a good goal although from our point of view we probably should have dealt with it better.”
Daly revealed that strike partner Russell isn’t giving up on staking a claim for the United goal even although Craigan who has set an unenviable SPL record of scoring eight own goals almost certainly was responsible.
However, Daly insists there is no dubiety about the quality of the crosses Dixon serves up each week.
He said: ”Johnny is trying to claim it but I think you could tell by his reaction that he’s not convinced. But fair play to him, I think I would try to claim it as well. If it hadn’t taken that little nick off his stud, Craigan would have cleared it so we might as well give it to him.”
He added: ”It was a great ball in though from Dicker. That’s what often happens when you put it in that area with the defender close to his own goal, anything can happen.
”It is the type of ball defenders hate and, thankfully for us, Dicker seems to have that in his locker and he produces it most weeks.”
Dixon was at the centre of a late piece of controversy when Ojamaa tumbled in the United box as he attempted to race between the United full-back and substitute Gavin Gunning. Daly believed Ojamaa made a meal of it, but said the pace of the game nowadays means that the slightest hint of a touch can send players sprawling.
He said: ”I didn’t see any contact and I am sure the boy will say differently but Dicker is adamant he didn’t touch him. The penalty wasn’t given, so we are happy enough.”
He added: ”Of late, you have seen some boys who have won penalties going before the compliance officer but I think the game is so quick and players are going at such pace the merest touch can send them down. It isn’t a dive but the player is moving so quickly he has to go down.”