Dundee United survived a valiant late revival from 10-man Ross County tonight to record a 3-2 win which takes them second in the Scottish Premiership.
Nadir Ciftci's double had helped the Terrors into a three-goal lead at the Global Energy Stadium before the hosts struck back through substitute Yoann Arquin. An 84th-minute red card to Liam Boyce did not dent their spirits as Darren Maatsen struck two minutes from time, but County's courageous comeback fell short.
The Staggies started as brightly as they finished, but were caught out by a 21st-minute counter-attack as Paul Quinn failed to deal with Chris Erskine's cross, leaving Ciftci to round the keeper and slot home.
Mark Brown saved well from Stuart Armstrong moments later as County survived until the break without going further behind, but it took United only three minutes of the second half to double their lead.
It was another swift break involving Ciftci and Calum Butcher as they combined well to provide Armstrong with Dundee's second, and Ciftci completed a fine evening's work with his double a short time later.
Erskine was again the supplier as he picked out the forward to turn and curl a shot beyond Brown from the edge of the area for his seventh goal of the season, and one which seemingly put the Terrors out of sight.
However, Arquin converted Jamie Reckord's cross on 75 minutes, less than 60 seconds after coming off the bench, and the former Notts County striker was twice denied by Radoslaw Cierzniak in the following moments.
As the hosts strived to regain possession to put further pressure on United, Boyce was dismissed for a studs-first tackle on Paul Paton, although that did not signal the end of County's attempts to get back into the match.
Another of Jim McIntyre's substitutes struck to ensure a nervy stoppage-time period for the visitors as Maatsen thrashed home off the underside of the crossbar following a clever through-pass from Martin Woods.
There was to be no fairytale finale, though, as United hung on for a result which takes them to within one point of champions Celtic at the top of the table, and keeps County propping up things in bottom spot.
Joe Fish
