DUFC 2 QOS 1

The ten-man Terrors came out with an important win on Saturday to move to the top of the fledgling Championship table.

Let's hope we can stay there. Chatting with my old man before kick off, we were talking about the importance of just getting three points on the board at this stage in the season, particularly as the players are still gelling and full match fitness is still being sought. Thankfully we were able to get the three points, despite McMullan's moment of madness, and with our main rivals (or at least our perceived main rivals) all dropping points over the first couple of weeks it does show the importance of getting the points regardless of performance.

It wasn't the greatest game of football to be honest, and it was definitely ruined by the red card. McMullan had already absolutely skinned the big dumpling at right back for them to set up the first goal, going around the outside and along the byline before squaring to McDonald to thigh home the opener, when he again ran away from the defender before being cynically pulled back. It was an obvious booking for the dumpling, and it would have put him in huge difficulty for the rest of the game. However McMullan stupidly lashed out after the pull, leaving the referee with a decision to make. The red card was brandished and it left United in a hole, especially given that Queens had already equalised after a poor defensive header by Stanton allowed Queens to put the ball back in the box and their centre half to lash home.

It wasn't the greatest game in the world after that and at times we were a little fortunate, Lewis making a couple of good stops - I'm continually impressed by our young goalkeeper and he looks a terrific prospect for Southampton. But for me Queens paid for their own lack of urgency - they had settled for a draw and it bit them on the backside. It was after a clear bit of timewasting that we equalised - their defender leaving the ball in the corner after shepherding it out, their keeper taking forever to get it, going to the other side of the box and taking a while to take the kick - that United scored the winner, good play by McDonald taking the ball down and then a bit of interchange allowed the substitute Fraser to lash home from 16 yards.

Queens then tried to step up their urgency but they couldn't get back in the game and United came away with the three points.

I think this game showed we have good character but also showed the importance of having a little depth on the bench. Fraser obviously came on to score the winner but we could also call on Briels and Flood to come on and shore up the game. We also had Paul Quinn, signed on the morning of the game and surely will come in for Edge at some point, and N'Koyi. The only gap we have in depth is on the wings with Fraser seemingly the backup in that position - this will obviously be an issue with McMullan's suspension, although I'm hoping his suspension will be served in the Irn Bru cup this midweek - not sure how many games he'll get or indeed if he can serve it in that competition.

I think the game also showed that the manager is keen to play the 442. I don't always agree with all his decisions - to be honest I felt McDonald should have come off instead of Keatings as he wasn't working the channels - the goal vindicated McKinnon on that front to be fair - but this is his preferred system and hopefully he's now got the players to make it work.

It's good to be top and hopefully we can stay there for a long time to come, and hopefully we finish there come May.