Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Goalscorer Pavol Safranko and Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo at full-time

Dundee United earned their first league win this season against Queen of the South to ease the pressure on boss Csaba Laszlo.

Sam Stanton gave the Tanndice outfit the lead on 15 minutes with a low shot into the bottom corner at Palmerston.

The advantage was doubled before the break when midweek-signing Pavol Safranko clipped the ball into the net.

Queens were much better in the second half but Stephen Dobbie's strike was not enough to salvage a point.

Callum Fordyce came closest to an equaliser but his header was knocked off the line by Paul Watson.

United's first three points in the race for the Championship title saw them climb to fifth, while Queen of the South sit in eighth.

Match reaction

Queen of the South manager Gary Naismith: "Dundee United's shape caught us a little by surprise. We didn't really cope with it and gave away a lot of possession. Dundee United were deservedly two up but we made a change at half-time.

"We moved the ball about a bit quicker and I genuinely thought we deserved to get something out of the game.

"In this league we cannot be giving teams two goals of an advantage and expect to get back into the game.

"I'm frustrated and disappointed it took to half time to get us going."

Dundee United manager Csaba Laszlo: "I think if you win a game you are always happy. The first half we played really good football and I think the score line could have been 4-0.

"If you come to Dundee United and the target is like last season to win promotion it is indifferent who is the manager because it is normal.

"Most teams are happy if they win against Dundee United and it doesn't matter if they lose because united are a bigger team. So they do not have as much pressure but this is normal. It's my job and I have to take it how it is."