However, a second-half slump saw the visitors take command, although the manner of their victory — two goals inside the final five minutes — was bitterly difficult for the manager to take.

And, although his youthful line-up included Kevin McDonald (17), Scott Robertson (17), Craig O’Reilly (18), Paul Dixon (19) and second-half sub Bryan Deasley (17), the manager was in no mood for making excuses.

“I was completely flabbergasted,” said Alan.

“I couldn’t speak to the players after the game. A similar thing happened to us a few months ago when we played Clyde and it’s hugely disappointing.

“But I wouldn’t put what happened down to a lack of experience. We had enough experienced men out on the park and, after leading 2-0 at half-time, we should have been able to see the game out.”

With today’s scheduled game against local junior outfit Violet snowed off, the manager and assistant Billy Kirkwood held a lengthy team meeting with the players to discuss the Airdrie defeat.

“The first half on Monday was comfortable, but the second half was totally unacceptable and the players have been told that,” said Billy.

“They look far too fragile at times and need to show more substance and more resilience when the going gets tougher.

“There are several youngsters in the team who can still be playing at youth level and they need to learn the mechanics of how to win a game. The older players have also got to do a bit more to help them.

“When you take into account the Clyde game earlier in the season, that’s five points we could have been better off. It was even more galling when you consider the results elsewhere went for us on Monday.”

Top scorer Simon Lynch, who missed out on Boxing Day due to illness, is expected to be fit in time for Saturday’s trip to Hamilton, while fellow-striker Andy Ferguson was again in with the physio today, having treatment on his knee injury.

“It was very disappointing to lose, because I thought we played well enough to take something,” said Gordon.

“We didn’t start great, but credit to the boys for pulling themselves back into it and, even up to the final minute, I thought we could have won.

“But that late goal was a sore one for us and now we have to look to bounce back against Rangers.

“That won’t be easy, because we know how difficult it can be at Ibrox. But the boys will dust themselves down and get on with it.”

United’s main worries for the trip to face Alex McLeish’s men are midfield duo Grant Brebner and Peter Canero, who continue to be hampered by injury.

The Tannadice outfit are still stalling over an extended contract for Canero, whose current deal expires at the weekend.

Aberdeen’s hopes of landing Stuart Duff, with out-of-favour Dons midfielder Scott Severin moving in the opposite direction, seem destined to be a non-starter.

Meanwhile, Saints faced Raith Rovers today in a bounce game.

The match enabled Owen to have another look at fringe first-team players and members of the squad coming back from injury lay-offs.

Saints are at home to Dundee on Monday (3 pm) and, with a big crowd anticipated, the Perth club’s managing director, Stewart Duff, is urging spectators to “come early”.