Wilkie headed his third goal of the season in the 65th minute to add to Jon Daly's opener as United beat Inverness 2-1 at Tannadice.

A last-minute own goal from Wilkie put a slight dampener on his day and stopped United recording their fourth consecutive clean sheet.

But United's rise to sixth in the table following a poor start more than made up for his own goal and Wilkie is now determined to stay in the top six.

"That was our aim right from the start of the season, to be pushing up there," the former Dundee defender said.

"We never got a great start but we always had confidence that, with the players we have at the club, we would be up there.

"I think we have proved we are a good side but there is still plenty to come. I think we are still improving - it's a long season.

"It was a really poor start but it was out of character, things just weren't quite going for us.

"We could end up going through another spell like that later in the season, you never know. I mean teams are up and down, it's just the way football is. But hopefully we can be as consistent as we can.

"Last season, even when we weren't playing well, we were defending quite well and that was getting us points, even if it was the odd draw here and there.

"And I think that's going to be the key this season, consistency no matter how we are playing. And that starts defensively."

United boss Craig Levein feels his side are learning how to break teams down. And he was delighted to see Wilkie and Daly capitalise on some good crossing from wide men Craig Conway and Willo Flood plus full-backs Paul Dixon and Sean Dillon, who both set up goals.