Managers post Dundee United

Link to audio of both managers post match comments
Allan Johnston thought that it was harsh to lose 1-0 at Tannadice:-

"I thought that we were the better team in the first half. We restricted them to very few opportunities, I don`t think they could break us down, we looked a lot more solid as we have been in the last few weeks but we still looked a threat going forward.

"I thought the boys worked incredibly hard but obviously it doesn`t help when you get a man sent off and are reduced to ten. I don`t think it was a malicious challenge, he just slipped but you can see why the referee has given it. It probably looked a bit worse than it was.

"The boys were excellent after that: a whole 45 minutes with ten men playing against Dundee United at home. It was always going to be tough but they still competed, made it really difficult and restricted them to very few opportunities. That is why it is so frustrating to lose a cheap goal from a corner."

Sean Murdoch in goal hardly had a shot on target to save and the manager felt that came about through achieving a much better shape, really hard to beat and break down.

"There were a lot of good performances and the boys worked incredibly hard. We are just not getting the breaks just now. Nicky Clark clearly got barged in the box (76). Anywhere else on the pitch and it would be a free kick. It looks a clear penalty to be honest so those are the ones that we are not getting at the moment."

Dunfermline defended well and were unfortunate to lose to Simon Murray`s third goal for United in three games this season.

"Lee Ashcroft, Lewis Martin, Andy Geggan again, Jason Talbot - a lot of good performances. I thought the guys in the middle of the park did really well as well, I don`t think we could ask much more of the boys. Every one of them gave everything tonight but it just wasn`t to be tonight. You could not fault their effort and their quality tonight."

The defence restricted United to shots from distance and their efforts kept clearing the bar. There was optimism that the Pars could hold out but then lost the only goal of the match with eleven minutes remaining.

"It was frustrating because you put so much effort in and lose a cheap goal from a corner. You just cannot afford to do that especially when you are down to ten men. There are a lot of positives tonight, when you look at the performance I thought that we were the better team and if you continue in that vein of form then we will win more games than we will lose."

On Saturday Dundee United travel to East End Park in the Irn Bru Cup, AJ commented:-

"It is a different match, it is a cup game, there will be a lot of tired boys as well so they need to make sure that they recover well and are ready for the game at the weekend because I think they are due a win."

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