Jim Goodwin: Draw with Kilmarnock ‘felt like defeat’ for Dundee United

Jim Goodwin admitted Dundee United’s 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock in the William Hill Premiership felt like a defeat.

Amar Fatah had a penalty saved in the first half for the home side but redeemed himself after the break with a superb goal.

It looked like it would prove to be the winner but Killie substitute Marley Watkins netted in stoppage time, with Jack Thomson being shown a straight red before the final whistle for the visitors.

Goodwin admitted the late concession of the equaliser had cost his side dear once more.

“It’s the type of result that pretty much sums up the season as a whole, in terms of seeing games out,” he said.

“The reality is defensively we haven’t been good enough. I think there’s only the bottom two teams in the league that have conceded more goals than us.

“Scoring goals has not been a problem – we’re up in the top six for goals scored – but defensively we haven’t been good enough all season.

“The game should have been out of sight. Pan Camara hits the crossbar in the opening 10 minutes, Amar’s unlucky with the penalty. We should be talking about a really comfortable win, but instead we’re talking about dropped points again.

“I thought for the majority of the game, apart from the corner late on, we defended the box really, really well. Everything that Kilmarnock threw in, the boys were aggressive. There were lots of first contacts, bodies on the line.

“Going into the dying moments, Kilmarnock had a lot of attacking players on the pitch and we, for whatever reason, found ourselves dropping that little bit deeper and didn’t see it out.

“Kilmarnock’s striker has pretty much waltzed into our penalty area and had a header unopposed, when we really should be recognising the danger.

“Speaking here, it’s hard to take the positives after what feels like a defeat.”

Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann heaped praise on his players for the way they kept battling away to secure a dramatic draw.

McCann said: “We weren’t at our best today. I’m absolutely delighted with a point though, and it shows there’s a real spirit in this team.

“We came up with a brilliant goal. I’m delighted for big Marley, but so happy for the boys. Sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve but, on reflection, Jim might feel his team should’ve had three points today.

“This team just looks like a different beast, both in their hearts and minds.

“I felt the red card was the wrong decision. Yes, Fatah is going through and Jack takes him out. I’ve no problem with a yellow card there. But he’s a long way from goal, and we’ve got Dom Thompson going at a rate of knots, so I don’t believe that’s denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”