Ross County's Steven Craig bemoaned his bad luck in front of goal in his side's CIS Insurance Cup third round defeat by Dundee United at Victoria Park.

Goals from Lee Wilkie and Johnny Russell were enough to see the SPL side through to the next round despite a fighting display from the Dingwall men.

Craig, who was twice denied by the woodwork said: "It's a major disappointment losing the game. Anyone who was at the game could see the 2-0 scoreline flattered them. But Dundee United are an excellent team, they will definitely finish third or fourth in the SPL, but it's disappointing from our point of view."

On his two chances, which came in quick succession early in the second half, Craig added: "If the first one goes in the second one goes in - that's the way the cookie crumbles.

"I did everything right with the second one, but the ball took a wee skid on the pitch, which helped it on to the post.

"United showed us a lot of respect by the team they put out. For long spells in the game we more than competed with them. All we needed was a little rub of the green and it could have been a different result. But we have to take the positives out of it, we just have to realise what level we have to reach and prepare for Saturday's match with Dundee."

Dundee United manager Craig Levein was full of praise for his opponents.

He said: "It was a tough match. We knew before the game it would be difficult. They gave Hamilton a real going over up here.

"The idea, after looking at their team, was to try to hit them on the counter-attack.

"If it had been at our place we couldn't have done that. We tried to use our speed and our accuracy of passing. They played really well and were never out of the game. The second goal was the killer for them."