Dundee United have defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 at Tannadice Park to close in on third place in the Scottish Premiership.

Marley Watkins thought that he had given the visitors the lead in the first half after being played in by Greg Tansey and rounding Radoslaw Cierzniak, but his effort was cleared off the line by Gavin Gunning.

Dundee took the lead through Ryan Gauld, who scored from close range after Dean Brill could only parry Andrew Robertson's shot into his path.

Ryan Dow added a second for the Terrors with 76 minutes played, tapping home to give his side a two-goal advantage.

Caley Thistle pulled one back five minutes later through Liam Polworth's 30-yard strike, but they could not find a leveller as Dundee held out for the three points.