United manager Alex Smith was raging after watching his luckless team go down 2-1 to Motherwell at Fir Park. Smith watched his team go two goals behind to a penalty by Ged Brannan just before the break and a 12-yard strike from Stuart Elliott minutes into the second half. United pulled a goal back from new signing Beto Naveda but it was not enough and the Tayside team were once again left pointless. But it was the red card shown to United defender Jim Lauchlan by referee Alan Freeland after the Tannadice man was adjudged to have unfairly challenged Motherwell striker Lee McCulloch which angered Smith.

"It's difficult to say anything without getting into trouble," said Smith. "Up until the sending off we were in control and were under no pressure at all. "But the red card changed the course of the game for half an hour. I thought Jim Lauchlan was unfortunate and was a victim of a harsh decision. "I was up in the stand at the time but all I saw was that Lauchlan tried to block McCulloch coming onto the ball. "It didn't look a nasty thing to me, all I would say it was was a foul for obstruction at most." Despite being down to ten men for an hour, United matched Motherwell and can count themselves unlucky not to have taken at least a point leaving Smith defiant in defeat. "In the last 25 minutes we battled well and we were back in the game. We were unlucky not to get at least a point," said Smith. "We've got to keep our heads up though but we are far from sunk.

But we need to win a game and we need a break because three points closes gaps very quickly. "But if we keep working the way we have been working it's got to come. In the last three games our organisation has been good, our fitness has been good but now we've got to score some goals." Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Miller was also making his first appearance for the Tangerines and Smith was quick to lavish praise on his new signing from Watford. "Charlie Miller was running the show out there," said Smith. "He was the best player on the park. When we get him fit - and I will get him fit - he'll be back to his previous form of a few years ago. "He's a class player and has all the qualities necessary to play with the best."

Smith was further angered by referee Freeland after he had shown Miller a yellow card in the first half. "I don't know what Miller got booked for and I wasn't happy at him getting booked," said Smith. "Charlie's always going to get attention and the crowd may have helped the referee make up his mind." ©Sporting Life