After similar controversy involving Mike McCurry at Ibrox late last season, it was a case of unwanted deja vu for United.

Rather than launch a legitimate attack on refereeing standards, however, today saw Craig reflect on a much-improved display from the disastrous opener at Hamilton.

“I really just have to put that incident down as an error and move on. Apart from getting a point, the most important thing for me was that we were so much better than we were against Hamilton,” said Craig.

“That was more like our true selves and I was pleased with the way we played.”

Singled out for praise was midfielder Scott Robertson and, delighted as he’s been with his first two competitive games, Craig feels there is more to come from the ex-Dundee man.

And, while, so far, the 23-year-old has taken on the anchor role previously filled by Mark Kerr, his manager expects a growing attacking contribution.

“I have been very happy with him, but he will get better. Scott is a naturally attacking player, but all our players like to get forward and I have been happy with the way he has given the defence protection.

“However, I do not see his role as just defensive and he will give us something in both directions. His passing will add to our play and I also expect him to chip in with half-a-dozen goals this season.

“He is someone I expect a lot from — no disrespect to Dundee, but he is playing with better players now and that will develop his game.”

And, while striker Francisco Sandaza grabbed the headline with a fine equaliser, Craig was quick to praise the combined effort of his front men.

“What we have is a group of strikers and, when Fran came on yesterday, it was against a tiring defence who had not had a minute’s rest from Warren Feeney and Roy O’Donovan.

“That should be a big thing for us this season, because we have quality options up front and defences know they will be against good players for 90 minutes.”

Returning defender Garry Kenneth went over on his ankle yesterday and, although he completed 90 minutes, he is a doubt for the Scotland Under-21 trip to Lithuania.

“Garry is reporting to the team hotel and he’ll be seen by the Scotland doctor, but I think he’s struggling,” added Craig.

He denied strikers Mickael Antoine-Curier and Colin McMenamin with a string of superb saves to pick up the Man-of-the-Match award.

That left Alex disappointed at what he regarded as two points lost, though any frustration was tempered by a couple of points.

“To be fair to my strikers, they were hitting the target and it took some exceptional saves to deny them — so long as they are doing that, I will back them to score in most games,” he said.

“We also created a lot of good chances, which is encouraging and, when I look at the team’s performance as a whole, I feel there is more to come from us.

“Defensively, I feel we have looked very sound, but there is more to come in a creative sense and now we are looking for those players to kick on.

“That’s not being critical, because, if you look at our line-up, we basically have changed half the team over the summer and players are still learning about each other.”

On the injury front, Craig McKeown made an unexpected appearance on the bench, though he was not used, and his quicker-than-expected return has left the gaffer reluctant to rule out others who have been unavailable.

“Right now, I’d say Jim Lauchlan, Darren Young and Colin Cameron have no chance for this weekend, but this time last week I would have said the same about Craig, but he made it.

“I still don’t expect those three ready for Morton. Cameron is a bit further ahead than the other two, so we will be looking to step up his work soon and see how he reacts.”