Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Dundee United are piling the pressure on the leaders

Nicky Clark's first-half penalty took Dundee United to within three points of Championship leaders Ross County after a third league win over Queen of the South this season.

Barry Maguire brought down Peter Pawlett and Clark hit his eighth goal of the season after the Motherwell loanee was sent off for the challenge.

A Stephen Dobbie free-kick flew just wide for 10-man Queens after the break.

And Kyle Jacobs rattling the bar with another effort from outside the box.

Queens midfielder Nicky Low and United counterpart Ian Harkes tested referee Andrew Dallas' patience with a fight near the end, but the official flashed yellow cards when many of the 2012 fans thought they too might have been shown red.

Queen of the South assistant manager Dougie Anderson: "It was a traditional game of two halves and, despite being down to 10 men, we were more attack-minded in the second half.

"We hit the bar and they gave everything, but it is a harsh lesson and the penalty changed the game.

"We need to address our run of form in terms of results, we need to get points on the board and, with a run of three games coming up, we need to start picking up points.

"They are all big tests in The Championship, and the difference between a relegation battle and the top four is probably as close as it has ever been."

Dundee United head coach Robbie Neilson: "That was a massive win for us given the fact that only ourselves and Morton have won here in the league this season.

"Ayr and Ross County have both been beaten heavily here, so I'm delighted for the players and the fans that we got the win.

"It is going to be extremely tight at the top over the next few weeks and wins like this are big."