STORY OF THE MATCH | GREENOCK MORTON (H)

Dundee United succumbed to just their second league defeat since August as the form side of the cinch Championship, Greenock Morton, left Tayside with all three points.

Just as an opening quarter largely dominated by United came to a close, the visitors would hit the front against the run of play. A teasing Michael Garrity delivery met the head of George Oakley rising above the United defence, and he duly converted.

Things would go from bad to worse for the Terrors nine minutes before the interval, with Oakley grabbing his second of the afternoon, stabbing another cross from the left goalward, this time from Lewis Strapp, to wrongfoot Jack Walton. It’s the first time United have conceded two goals in a league match since May.

However, the hosts would formulate a rapid response. After intricate interplay around the edge of the Ton area involving Craig Sibbald, Kai Fotheringham and Tony Watt, Liam Grimshaw would pick out Academy graduate Fotheringham in the area with a delightful clipped cross which merely needed a slight glance to nestle into the corner.

And the comeback was to be completed on the stroke of half-time, with Watt bursting down the right before picking out Louis Moult in the middle who had the simple task of planting his header between the posts from point-blank range.

Into the second period, Jim Goodwin’s side continued to turn the screw in search of their third, perhaps not carving out as many clear-cut opportunities as their efforts merited.

A major flashpoint came with 69 minutes on the clock when veteran defender Kirk Broadfoot hauled opposite number Kevin Holt to the turf during the delivery of a Glenn Middleton corner. The home side were left incredulous when the decision was awarded in favour of Morton, rather than the tussle resulting in a spot-kick.

United’s officiating frustration grew with the incorrect dismissal of Craig Sibbald in the dying embers, who received a second caution in quick succession despite making contact with the ball during an attempted challenge on Lewis McGrattan.

Just seconds after being reduced to ten men, the final nail in the tangerine coffin was emphatically delivered by Oakley as the Greenock outfit snatched a famous victory. A Route One ball downfield by Ryan Mullen was contested by Holt and Oakley, with the latter winning the duel before picking out the top corner with a vicious, left-footed drive from the edge of the area.