Robbie Neilson believes Dundee United put down a play-off marker against Inverness with their 2-0 win in the Highlands on Saturday.
After Ross County beat Ayr 3-1 at Somerset Park on Friday, anything but a United win would have seen the Staggies crowned Ladbrokes Championship winners.
Boss Neilson told ArabTV: “It was a very important part of the season, laying a marker down because we hadn’t won here this season.
“The chances are it could be them we play, it is 50-50, them or Ayr United.
“They are a good team but we showed that we can go there, dominate the game and get the three points and also keep a clean sheet which is important.
“If we are here in three weeks’ time, 2-0 up, we need to keep a clean sheet. So I was pleased with that.
“It is about gearing everyone up for the first play-off game.
“It is important that we keep the feel-good factor and we build that togetherness towards the end of the season.”
Greg Kiltie opened the scoring for the visitors in the 47th minute and then the on-loan Kilmarnock midfielder’s cut-back in the 54th minute set up the second for Charlie Telfer.
Iain Wilson scored the opener a minute before the interval and Josh Todd’s strike in the 52nd minute doubled their lead, with Jackson Longridge heading in a late Dunfermline consolation.
The much-changed home side took the lead through Calvin Miller’s close-range finish in the 12th minute.
