Anxious wait for Jim Goodwin and Dundee United despite thumping Buckie Thistle

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin bemoaned conceding two goals against Buckie Thistle which he fears will cost them a place in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup.

United won 5-2 against the Highland League champions and sit top of Group B on nine points from four matches.

But they face an anxious Saturday afternoon as Falkirk and Ayr can both overtake Goodwin’s side.

Any win for the Bairns at home to Stenhousemuir will see them move above United and Ayr will do the same if they beat Buckie by three goals at Somerset Park.

Goodwin said in a club video: “The emphasis was on attacking and trying to score as many goals we could.

“I can’t fault the effort of the players, we are very much on a hiding to nothing in games like this. The expectation is on us and the attitude and application of the players was there, on a difficult surface, pretty long grass.

“But the two goals we concede are really poor, particularly the corner. It was a very good delivery but we managed to drop our runner and it was nearly a free header.

“I can’t for the life of me see why the referee has given the penalty, I have seen it back three or four times.

“So absolutely disappointed not to keep a clean sheet.

“As things stand we are top of the group but if Ayr United take care of business on Saturday and score three or more goals against Buckie that could be our chances of progressing gone.”