Levein relieved as United march on

Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by PA

Dundee United manager Craig Levein was full of praise for Co-operative Insurance Cup third-round opponents Ross County after a 2-0 victory at Victoria Park.

County made United work for their victory and were unlucky not to score themselves after Steven Craig was twice denied by the woodwork.

Lee Wilkie towered above the home defence to head home a Craig Conway corner kick nine minutes from the break.

The United goal came under attack after the break but United substitute Johnny Russell scored in the 77th minute to seal victory.

Levein was happy to be through, but said: "It was a tough match. We knew before the game it would be difficult. They gave Hamilton a real going over up here.

"The idea, after looking at their team, was to try to hit them on the counter-attack.

"If it had been at our place we couldn't have done that. We tried to use our speed and our accuracy of passing. They played really well and were never out of the game. The second goal was the killer for them."

Ross County manager, Derek Adams was proud of his players' efforts.

Adams said: "It was a tough game for us. I felt we acquitted ourselves well. We hit the bar and the post but Dundee United are an SPL side and good luck to them in the next round.

"We had spells in the game and they had spells. It was a confident performance, it's the way we have been playing throughout the season.

"But the ball just didn't go for us at 1-0. We didn't pick up at the corner kick and lost the goal and the second one killed the game.

"The players are passing the ball and that's all you can ask of them. We knew it would be a tough test for us. United didn't cause us a lot of trouble but they scored the goals at the right time. We just didn't get the break of the ball.

"If Steven Craig had scored instead of hitting the bar and the post it would have been a totally different game. It just didn't go for us tonight. But we have no complaints.

"I wouldn't say we were unlucky, we lost 2-0, but I thought we played well.

"The players learnt from tonight, they enjoyed it and it was a good occasion for them, they'll just have to look forward to the games ahead in the First Division."