Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Pavol Safranko celebrates putting Dundee United 2-0 up

Robbie Neilson began his tenure as Dundee United manager with a perfunctory win over Partick Thistle.

Goals either side of the interval by Fraser Aird and Pavel Safranko ensured United stay fourth, five adrift of leaders Ayr United.

Jai Quitongo did roll a cute finish past Ben Siegrist to haul managerless Thistle back into the contest.

But a dominant United held on to record a victory.

It was their first in three Championship games and would have been more handsome had it not been for goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

The former United custodian saved the Firhill side from a more chastening reverse by thwarting Callum Booth, Frederic Frans, and Safranko with fine stops.

He was helpless when Aird volleyed past him to conclude an incisive move, but might have done better than redirect a Paul McMullan effort into Safranko's path for the second.

United also hit a post through McMullan and Safranko had a header ruled out as former Hearts boss Neilson ended his first week in charge with a win.

'The atmosphere has changed' - reaction

Partick Thistle caretaker manager Gerry Britton told BBC Scotland: "We showed the way we played and the attacking intent we showed that when we play on the front foot we can put teams under pressure.

"The disappointing thing is why it's only the last 30 minutes that we do that. Why are we not doing that from the first whistle?

"We have identified a number of strong candidates and we would like to hope, all going well, in an ideal world we would have a new manager in the dugout for next Saturday."

Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson said: "I couldn't have asked anymore. I thought the players and the fans were brilliant. Let's hope this is the start of some good things.

"I thought the first 60 minutes we were in total control but then Partick had the impetus as we started to tire.

"It's a great dressing room in there now. The atmosphere has changed."