James McPake is confident his Dundee frontmen will find their shooting boots in time to save their Premiership skins after another blank saw them slip to the bottom of the table.
The Dens boss was left frustrated after his side bossed large parts of a frantic derby but were made to pay for missed chances in the 0-0 draw.
With free agent Leigh Griffiths sat in the stands as he swithers over the offer of a new deal at Dens, deadline day signing Zak Rudden was twice denied by clearances off the line while the excellent Paul McMullan saw two efforts well saved by Benji Siegrist.
St Johnstone’s last gasp win at Livingston moved the Perth men above Dee on goal difference.
And while McPake is delighted his side have shut the door at one end of the park he has demanded they find their ruthless streak at the other.
Their winless league run now reads eight games with just three goals. And McPake said: “We’re disappointed we couldn’t get that quality or final ball because we got into some great areas.
“We were very wasteful at times but it’s hard to criticise them. McMullan was outstanding and he’s putting chances on a plate but we need to get it right at the top end of the pitch. And I'm confident we will.
“We had to use the winter break to get us defensively sound and that’s three clean sheets in a row which was a priority because we were conceding too many chances.
“We were that wee bit better and with the chances we created we should have won.
“If we get it better at both ends of the pitch we will be ok.
“The atmosphere was great. Nothing beats a derby here. United really pushed in the last five minutes and we stood firm.
“Up to that I believe we should have been in front. It’s that killer touch, that final pass or that bit of luck we need.
“Zak will talk about that, there were other chances we could go on all night about them. I love the fact he’s gutted he’s not won us the game.
“We have to feel encouraged. We gave away no chances. Earlier in the season it was ten or 11 chances per game.
“As a team we’re working better. We’re lacking that wee bit at the top end but as a unit we’re looking more solid.”
On Griffiths’ situation, McPake said: “Leigh was at the game and talks are ongoing.”
United passed up the chance to jump Aberdeen back into the top six but boss Tam Courts backed Nicky Clark after he blazed a late sitter over the bar.
He said: “Nicky has got a big mentality and he’s experienced. His first touch was excellent, the defender made a big recovery tackle but I expected to see the ball bulging in net.
“That would have changed the way I’m speaking. I wanted to see more quality and to attack Dundee on the wings but we couldn’t get consistency.
“It was chaotic and frenzied like a lot of derbies.
“I’m pleased with the clean sheet, the attitude and condition considering we played on Saturday and they’re fighting tor their lives.
“It’s good we got a clean sheet and welcomed back Liam Smith. Ross Graham was probably composed player on the pitch and all credit to him.
“I knew the way the game would unfold. If we’d capitalised on those bigger moments we’d have got control but we kept it in the chaotic phase and it became a lottery.
“We had a really strong week last week and we now need to target three points against St Johnstone.
“It’s difficult because we need to get the signings up to speed.”
New signing Tim Akinola and Kevin McDonald were kept on the bench but could feature at the weekend. Courts added: “Tim trained yesterday and Kev travelled up from London. We didn’t want to jeopardise them for Saturday.”
