Kilmarnock 2
Dundee Utd 0
League (Division One)

Match Report

Only a point separated United and Kilmarnock at the bottom of the First Division table when the teams were reunited at Rugby Park just one month after their League Cup meetings. The manager made no fewer than five changes, switching the goalkeeper once again, recalling Hamish McAlpine for the first time since the Dundee derby and in defence, Stuart Markland and Jackie Copland returned in the absence of both Doug and Walter Smith, the latter taking a place on the bench. In the forward line, Davie Wilson replaced youngster Alan Devlin.

The first half began as many of United's have this season, going a goal down within the half hour. The Tangerine's offside trap went awry in the 28th minute. Stuart Markland tried a pass back, but the ball didn't carry and Jimmy Cook, for the home side, intercepted to evade a defender, and Hamish McAlpine, before coolly angling the ball home. The goal was deserved for a Killie side that had been the better team during the opening stages, but their finishing until then had been "powder-puff". United's attacking hopes took a turn for the worse when a knock to Alan Gordon forced him to withdraw after 33 minutes.

Abandoning their defensive strategy in the second half, United pushed forward but their play continued to be lack-lustre. The nearest Jerry Kerr's men came to grabbing an equaliser was twenty minutes from the end when Ally Hunter touched a Jackie Copland header on to the bar forcing Jackie McGrory to head the rebound out to safety. United's hopes of a win were killed off when the home side scored a second goal in the final minute. Jim McSherry ran onto a through ball and beat Hamish McAlpine with a lofted shot. With Killie taking both points and East Fife recording their first win of the season at Shawfield, defeat at Rugby Park had put United to the foot of the First Division table.