Dundee Utd 3 St Mirren 2: United given belief to clinch third

Published on Sunday 25 January 2009 22:11

WARREN Feeney says Dundee United's dramatic comeback against St Mirren shows they have the strength of character to clinch the coveted third spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The on-loan Cardiff City striker grabbed a double as United twice fought back from behind to secure a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Saints at Tannadice.

The win allowed Craig Levein's team to move ahead of both Hearts and Aberdeen, even though the Dons have displayed their own credentials by taking four points from the Old Firm in their last two outings.

"Aberdeen have had two great results and they have been the form team in the league," admitted Feeney. "We were disappointed to lose last week, but the gaffer said this week that third place is going to go down to the wire.

"You'd like to open up gaps but sometimes that doesn't happen. The most important thing is for us to keep winning and worry about ourselves. If we show the character we did against St Mirren, I'm sure come the end of the season we will hopefully be in that third position."

United suffered a shock 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Motherwell last week and knew they could not afford to slump to a second consecutive home defeat.

"We were disappointed going into the break 1-0 down but all credit to the boys," said Feeney. "It was a test of character for us after last week and we had a go. They deserved to be up at the break but fair play to us for turning it around in the second half and it was good to get the three points. At half-time, the manager just told us there was nothing to be scared of and to go out and have a go.

"He said maybe we weren't up to our best last week and it was going to be a big second half for us. The pride of the boys came out and it was a positive result for us."

St Mirren took a first-half lead through Jack Ross before Feeney levelled from the penalty spot. The visitors were back in front when Billy Mehmet also converted from the spot but were left reeling when Prince Buaben restored parity before Feeney grabbed a late winner.

Levein said: "I was thrilled by the result and the second-half performance. It was a real test of character after what happened last week. If we hadn't got three points – or at least a point – then there would have been people asking questions."

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson admits he was stunned at the prospect of returning to Paisley empty-handed but refused to criticise his young side.

He said: "There are some younger players in there who are a wee bit naive but you learn from it, and we will learn from it. I can't ask for any more from them, both from a technical aspect and a physical aspect.

"They are honest, genuine guys who are giving their absolute maximum and I really don't believe we're that far away. I know we've got a good team, but we need the breaks along the way."

MAN OF THE MATCH: Warren Feeney (Dundee United)

The on-loan Cardiff City striker's two goals changed the outcome of the match. Feeney levelled from the penalty spot and then scored a late winner as he confidently connected with a ball across the face of the goal.