Dundee United midfielder Paul Paton is refusing to rule out a Tannadice title bid after the Arabs figured out a way to win ugly.

Jackie McNamara's team were the undoubted style kings of the Scottish Premiership last year.

But Paton admits the Tangerines would stumble if they did not get every step of their free-flowing game in sync.

Now having beaten city rivals Dundee twice in four days - firstly with Sunday's 4-1 Dens Park romp on league duty, followed by Wednesday's last-gasp 1-0 League Cup victory at Tannadice -Paton believes United have finally found the key to consistency.

He said: "On Sunday we were really good and right on it. On Wednesday, we were not as good.

"We relied on a great penalty save from Rado Cierzniak as well as a sending off for Dundee to give us the kick up the back side.

"But we have won two derbies in four days and that is all the matters.

"That is the biggest difference I have noticed in my time. Last season we got a lot of plaudits when we were doing well but when we weren't at it, we dropped points.

"Now we have found a way to win ugly. When I first arrived here, everything had to be spot on to get a win. Now there are times when we are not as good but the wins are still coming."

United face another derby today as they host Tayside rivals St Johnstone.

But they will go into the match knowing they are joint league leaders with Inverness and sit five points ahead of Celtic - albeit having played a game more.

Asked if his side were realistic challengers to the reigning champions, Paton refused to count any possibilities out.

"It's realistic to think we can win every game we go into," he said. "Where that takes us I don't know because Celtic are massive favourites.

"To get anywhere near them would be a big achievement. We will just take every game as they come and see where we end up."