Shankland on target as Dundee United claim Tayside derby bragging rights

Posted Saturday, November 09, 2019 by PA

Dundee United went six points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 2-0 win away to Dundee in the Tayside derby.

A Nicky Clark penalty and a second from Lawrence Shankland, both goals coming early in the second half, were enough to secure three points with defeat leaving the home side third and nine points behind their city rivals.

Tangerines forward Paul McMullan almost got free of the last defender following a move down the right after eight minutes but Brian Clark was able to cover.

Nicky Clark then won a free-kick on the edge of the Dundee area but the United forward’s effort was blocked by the home wall.

The Dark Blues forced a corner but when the clearance fell to Declan McDaid on the edge of the area he fired way off target.

Just before the half-hour, United’s Ian Harkes saw his deflected shot just creep past the post before the home side’s Paul McGowan glanced a header off target from Sean Mackie’s cross.

Graham Dorrans twice made important tackles early in the second half but Dundee were undone when the visitors won a penalty, Nicky Clark sending Conor Hazard the wrong way from the spot with 56 minutes gone.

The visitors made it 2-0 18 minutes into the second half as Shankland robbed Andrew Nelson before firing home under Hazard.

Shankland had an effort blocked and fired over the rebound as United pushed for a third and then Hazard’s fine one-handed save denied McMullan.

Shanlkand hit the post late on but United had already done enough to claim the three points.