SPL: Ross County 1 Dundee United 0

Ross County’s hopes of European football next season were given a boost after they beat 10-man Dundee United 1-0 on Friday.

Northern Irishman Ivan Sproule netted the only goal of the game as hosts’ defeated United for the first time in 15 years, having not tasted victory since 1988.

The win put Derek Adams’ side on 49 points, just two points behind rivals Inverness CT with three games remaining.

County made a bright start to proceedings and had a number of chances to hit the front through Iain Vigurs and Steffen Wohlfarth but they failed to find the net, while Jon Daly had a chance of his own to give United the lead before the half-time interval.

The home side finally made the breakthrough 10 minutes into the second half, with Sproule heading home a Vigurs’ cross.

United were forced to play the last 25 minutes with one man less after Barry Douglas was sent off and it almost led to County’s second goal but Richard Brittain’s effort rattled the crossbar.