Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Mark Connolly's header kept Dundee United 14 points clear at the top

Mark Connolly's first Dundee United goal secured a scrappy victory at Queen of the South and kept Robbie Neilson's men 14 points clear at the Scottish Championship summit.

The centre-back, making his first start since August, glanced home a Nicky Clark corner shortly after half-time to break his duck 11 months after signing.

Jack Hamilton wasted Queens' best chance when he failed to beat Benjamin Siegrist from close range and the hosts remain sixth, four points adrift of the promotion play-off spots.

United had dropped points for the first time in 10 matches when they were held 1-1 by city rivals Dundee in their final game of 2019, but showed their battling qualities on the artificial pitch at Palmerston to eke out a fifth successive away win.

Neilson's side restricted Queens to few clear-cut openings and Connolly was decisive at both ends. The 28-year-old, a regular early-season starter until a hamstring tear in August sidelined him for two months, repelled the hosts before a late bout of cramp forced him off to a standing ovation from the away fans.

Queen of the South manager Allan Johnston: "I don't think we did enough to win the game, but we didn't deserve to lose it either. Second half we penned them in for long periods and they just tried to frustrate us by wasting time, falling down. It's frustrating for the crowd - they want to see good football, not people rolling about wasting time."

Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson: "We lost 4-0 here last time and this game was much the same, there wasn't a lot in it performance wise but we managed to get the goal and see it out. It's a very difficult surface to play on, it's not ideal and difficult to control the ball, it's bobbling everywhere.

"We're just happy to get three points and get up the road. I'd hope to have Paul McMullan, Peter Pawlett and Sam Stanton back for next week and possibly another player in as well."