PAUL Quinn admitted he was embarrassed by Dundee United's display as their Ladbrokes Championship title hopes took another battering yesterday.
The Tannadice side lost 3-0 at home to Morton as Jim Duffy's men triumphed thanks to goals from Thomas O'Ware, Scott Tiffoney and Jack Iredale.
But the result leaves the Tangerines 11 points behind runaway leaders St Mirren and staring at another nervy play-off battle if they want to rescue their promotion hopes.
Now defender Quinn admits his side need to address their failings quickly.
He told ArabZone: "It's difficult to sum up a performance like that. It's embarrassing to concede three goals at home to anyone and lose like that.
"It's the second time in a number of weeks we've been dealt a heavy blow and it's a wake-up call.
"If we thought the Falkirk game was a one-off we were wrong. There are a few things we need to focus on – individually and collectively.
"We need to strive to do better next week. It's the only way we can go. We're no longer in a position where we can look further ahead than next Saturday."
The Buddies extended their lead with Friday's 2-1 win over Dunfermline – a result which allowed Livingston to move up to third after they overcame Dumbarton 2-0 following strikes from Alan Lithgow and on-loan Rangers striker Ryan Hardie.
Only goal difference is now keeping Queen of the South out of the play-off spots after their Stephen Dobbie-inspired victory over Brechin.
The striker bagged all three goals to render the basement boys' late consolation strike from Callumn Morrison meaningless.
Falkirk also hauled themselves out of the relegation places with a 3-1 win over Inverness.
Bairns skipper Aaron Muirhead converted a pair of penalties to put his side on course for victory against the Highlanders, who had Jake Mulraney sent off for a second booking before half-time.
Daniel Mackay replied for Inverness but Andrew Nelson sealed the points for Falkirk late on.
Muirhead told FalkirkTV: "It's good to see that is us out of the drop zone as it's a place we don't want to be.
"Now hopefully we can start moving up the table.
"If we can pick up more sets of three points like we did today rather than the one you get for a draw, then you never know what can happen."
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