STORY OF THE MATCH | AIRDRIEONIANS (A)

Dundee United recorded their third victory in ten days as they defeated Airdrieonians in Lanarkshire thanks to a goal in either half from Kai Fotheringham.

Just minutes after Captain Ross Docherty was withdrawn with a groin injury, the Terrors would hit the front at a bitterly cold Excelsior Stadium.

A looping delivery from Glenn Middleton caused chaos in the Diamonds’ penalty area, and Academy graduate Fotheringham was on hand to pounce, prodding the ball through a ruck of players to find the back of the net.

Perhaps for the first time this term, the United backline was put under pressure for an extended period of time, with Rhys McCabe’s men carving out multiple opportunities to restore parity ahead of the interval.

However, a few clever tactical tweaks from United Gaffer Jim Goodwin nullified the hosts' threat before the tangerine dam burst. 

Seven minutes into the second period, in-form wideman Fotheringham gave his side breathing space with a second of the evening.

Architects of their own downfall due to an insistence on playing out from the back under duress from United, a loose pass from Liam McStravick was intercepted by Tony Watt in the attacking third.

The 29-year-old stroked the ball into the feet of colleague Declan Glass, who in turn sent Fotheringham racing through one-on-one with Joshua Rae inside the 18-yard box and he made no mistake to find a way beyond his opposite number.

Goodwin’s side are now 15 matches undefeated in all competitions, and have a four-point buffer at the summit of the cinch Championship table.