Team news

Houston wary of Motherwell threat Dundee United manager Peter Houston has dismissed talk of a Motherwell slump - because they have too many good players for it to happen.

The Steelmen have suffered three defeats in a row in the SPL and lost their grip on third place to Hearts, albeit they have two games in hand over the Edinburgh side.

Motherwell set a high standard at the start of the campaign through their consistency and Houston, whose United side entertain them at Tannadice this weekend, believes it won't be long before they are back in that form.

He is wary of Stuart McCall's team after losing 3-1 to them earlier in the season, but his own side head into the match in good form so are quietly confident.

He said: "Motherwell were fantastic against us at Tannadice earlier in the season so we won't be underestimating them.

"Their form has dipped a wee bit but with the quality they have in their squad that won't last because they are a very good side.

"They have goal threats from all over the park and are one of the toughest teams to play outside the Old Firm.

"The last game we played down there was ruined by the wind, which made it impossible to play any sort of football, so I'm expecting a much better game for the fans this time round." That is a view echoed by defender Sean Dillon, who does not want to see a repeat of the high-scoring encounters the teams have played out in the past.

He said: "There have been plenty of goals in this game in the past but from a defenders point of view I just hope we are the ones scoring them.

"The last time we played the match was ruined by the weather so hopefully conditions will be a lot calmer this weekend.

"Motherwell are having a really good season and deserve to be where they are in the league.

"Our own form is good but we know we have to be at our very best to beat them.

"The last time we played was a warning because we let them get on top early and never recovered from there.

"We can't afford to let that happen this time." United will be boosted by the return of Gavin Gunning and Danny Swanson from injury after the pair came through a practice game on Wednesday unscathed.

Swanson has been out for three months with a knee injury but made his comeback from the bench against Celtic last weekend and could be considered for a start.

Houston said: "Gavin Gunning played in the bounce game we had the other day so he will be fine for the weekend "So did Danny Swanson, who played really well and will come into contention for the starting team.

"He has been out for a while but has stepped up his training recently and could play a part." Motherwell manager McCall believes it's time for his players to stand up and be counted after their recent dip in form.

McCall will welcome influential midfielder Steve Jennings back to his starting line-up at Tannadice and the former Bradford City boss is hoping for a change in his team's fortunes.

"When we have runs like this it is our responsibility to get out of it. I think quite a few of the lads in the dressing would admit to their form dipping a little in recent weeks and it's now time to go out there, get a result and play like we know we can," said McCall.

"I said in the dressing room after the Inverness game, you don't get anything from moping about, when you're on a downward spiral it's all about picking yourself back up and getting back on track.

Dundee Utd vs Motherwell

Last modified 17:47 21/01/12

Higdon secures Well-earned point Michael Higdon's late equaliser gave Motherwell a deserved 1-1 draw with Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League.

Trailing to a first-half own goal from captain Stephen Craigan, Stuart McCall's side battled back and missed a string of chances before Higdon struck in the 85th minute.

It ends a run of three successive defeats for the Fir Park side, but they still dropped down to fifth place after St Johnstone beat Hibernian.

Dundee United are still searching for their first victory of 2012 but the draw moved them back into the top six.

United manager Peter Houston made just one change to the side that lost 2-1 to Celtic last weekend, with Stuart Armstrong replacing Willo Flood.

Motherwell manager McCall also made just one change after the 1-0 home loss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Steve Jennings returned for Tim Clancy.

The visitors had the first chance in four minutes when Tom Hateley's curling free-kick was parried by Dusan Pernis. United defender Garry Kenneth cleared the loose ball.

Gary Mackay-Steven has been in fine form for United in recent weeks and was unlucky with a rising drive in the sixth minute after showing sublime skill.

Omar Daley, using his pace to good effect on the right side of a 4-3-3 formation, tested Pernis with a low drive on 15 minutes.

United settled and captain Jon Daly missed a great chance after being picked out at the back post by Stuart Armstrong. Towering above Steven Hammell, he headed over the bar.

Motherwell striker Michael Higdon had been quiet yet almost broke free to convert Nicky Law's cross midway through the first half - but Pernis' fingertip save denied him.

Within seconds, Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph bettered that save with a stunning stop from John Rankin's stinging drive, after great play from Daly and Mackay-Steven.

However, there was nothing the Irishman could do to prevent United taking the lead in the 28th minute, with Craigan yet again the unfortunate fall guy.

Paul Dixon was the provider with a wonderful left-wing run and his low cross was bundled over the line by the Motherwell captain, under pressure from Johnny Russell.

Replays showed that Craigan did get the final touch to Dixon's cross, leaving him with the unwanted record for the most own goals in the SPL with eight.

Despite that setback, Motherwell continued to create chances. Keith Lasley's long-range drive was held by Pernis, while the Slovakian also denied Higdon after great work from Jennings.

United hit back and Randolph made a good save from Russell's low shot, while Daly also missed a good chance after a swift United breakaway.

The impressive Mackay-Steven then danced away from three challenges and flashed a drive into the side-netting in 40 minutes.

The second half was nowhere near as open as the first, with chances extremely scarce after the break.

Daley was well shackled by Paul Dixon and it was no surprise when he was taken off for Henrik Ojamaa just after the hour mark.

The Estonian had only been on the pitch for seconds when Motherwell carved out an opening, but Jamie Murphy's low drive was expertly gathered by Dusan Pernis.

Ojamaa's pace and trickery earned a free-kick for Motherwell in the 66th minute but Steven Hammell's curling effort drifted narrowly wide.

United's Robbie Neilsen, booked in the first half, was walking a tightrope and Houston wisely replaced him with Gavin Gunning.

Motherwell were starting to pin United back and Higdon was inches away from connecting with Nicky Law's cross in the 69th minute.

Higdon wasted another good chance in the 77th minute when he headed Tom Hateley's cross wide from just six yards.

However, United could have extended their lead as Russell blazed over and Randolph saved smartly from Daly.

Higdon was having a hard time for Motherwell and fired a wayward shot into the stand after great play from Ojamaa.

However, his perseverance paid off in the 85th minute when he latched on to Ojamaa's cutback and fired high past Pernis.

Motherwell pressed for the winner and Ojamaa went down under Dixon's challenge in the box, but referee Stevie O'Reilly waved away the claims.