“It was not a good day for us and what was frustrating was that we had got ourselves into a position where we could get right back in the pack and did not make the most of it,” said Ian today.

“There is nothing we can do about that now. But we are still not that far away from where we want to be and getting there is what we are concentrating on now.”

United hope to have Charlie Miller back in the squad for Saturday. The midfielder is training normally after a month out with ankle ligament trouble and should be fit for consideration.

Centre-half Scott Paterson is also doing ball work again, but, having been out for much longer than Miller, he will need a couple of games in the Under-21s before he is ready to challenge for the first team again.

Tonight, the U/21s play host to Dunfermline at Station Park, Forfar (7 pm).