Mixu Paatelainen hopes Dundee United's 1-0 victory over Airdrie in the Scottish Cup can provide the spark they desperately need to rescue their league campaign.

The fourth-round clash at the Excelsior Stadium failed to produce the shock that some predicted after Blair Spittal grabbed the winner for United with 11 minutes to go.

United boss Paatelainen insists there is plenty of confidence within the dressing room, even though his side are 11 points adrift at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And he believes spirits will be even higher when they return to league business now that they have ended a nine-match streak without a win.

He said: "I hope so. The spirit is high. The spirit hasn't been too low at any point. Credit to the players, they have been really good and believing.

"You can see that in our performances, the way we pass the ball with confidence. It is there.

"I thought it was a very professional performance from us and the attitude was spot on.

"We always knew Airdrie would test us but I thought we handled them well. We didn't score in open play but that wonderful free-kick was enough for us."