Dundee United 2 Queen of the South 3

Dundee United missed their chance of closing the gap on second place despite fighting back against Queen of the South at Tannadice.

The visitors still retain their own play-off hopes and appeared well set when leading by a couple of goals at the interval.

Joe Thomson had them in front midway through the opening half and Kyle Jacobs converted a penalty just ahead of the break.

But Mark Durnan pulled a goal back with almost an hour completed before Scott McDonald levelled matters from a free-kick.

But Thomson then added a decisive and spectacular second from distance with fifteen minutes remaining.

On loan defender Anthony Ralston was awarded a debut while Deniz Mehmet replaced goalkeeper Harry Lewis as the hosts made a handful of changes. William Edjenguele also returned from injury.

Former United midfielder Jon Rankin had the first attempt from around twenty-five yards, while Durnan headed wide from a replying corner. Ralston then had unsuccessful claims for a penalty when challenged inside the area.

The visitors struck first, though, as Lyndon Dykes delivered for Thomson to finish low after McDonald had lost possession.

Paul McMullan hooked over at the other end; until Durnan suddenly failed to clear and ended up fouling Dykes inside the opposite area. Jacobs made no mistake from the spot.

Josh Todd called Mehmet into action following the interval before also clearing the crossbar with a second effort.

However, Durnan forced home after Sam Stanton had initially located the foot of an upright to instill fresh hope, although Dykes then rattled the crossbar at the other end.

But McDonald soon equalised from a free-kick after being fouled by Shaun Rooney – only for Thomson to lash in a superb winner just seven minutes later.

Dundee United: Mehmet, Ralston (Flood 82), Durnan, Edjenguele, Scobbie, Murdoch, Stanton, McMullan (Fraser 64), McDonald, King (Smith 77), Mikkelsen

subs (unused): Slater, Robson, Gillespie, Lewis

Goals: Durnan (57), McDonald (68)

Queen of the South: Leighfield, Rooney (Carmichael 73), Brownlie, Cameron, Marshall, Todd, Jacobs, Rankin, Thomson (Murray 78), Thomas (Fordyce 73), Dykes

subs (unused): Lyle, Todorov, Fergusson, Lyle

Goals: Thomson (21, 75), Jacobs (pen 41)

Ref: G. Duncan

Att: 4,088