Dundee Utd 3
Montrose 2
League Cup (2nd Round)

Match Report

Newly promoted Montrose proved themselves a very tough nut to crack. Marshalled by the experienced former Dons pair of Rougvie and Dornan, the First Division side restricted our scoring opportunities to a minimum in the first half. The exceptions followed the first of a series of Billy McKinlay inswinging corners when both Mixu Paatelainen and Michael O'Neill missed from good scoring positions. We also went close to taking the lead when Billy McKinlay's first time shot from a comer which had been cleared to him almost beat Larter who grabbed the ball on the line at the second attempt. Larter again came to Montrose's rescue coming out to block Dave Bowman's angular drive with his legs.

Little had been seen of the Gable Endies as an attacking force, but they opened the second half in more attacking mood and shocked us in the 55th minute. Self confessed United fan, Eddie Wolecki pounced on a through ball to flick the ball past Guide Van De Kamp before poking the ball into the empty net. Twice within a minute, Mbcu Paatelainen was denied by Larter as we pushed hard for the equaliser. John Clark struck a fierce drive, but straight at the keeper. Things were beginning to look somewhat ominous until co-manager Doug Rougvie made a fatal error. His lofted back-pass evaded his 'keeper, leaving Mixu Paatelainen the simple task of tapping the ball into a vacant net.

Three minutes later we went ahead when Michael O'Neill headed in a cross from Andy McLaren at the second attempt. Only a last ditch save by Larter prevented Darren Jackson making it 3-1, but Montrose weren't finished yet. Three minutes from time, Doug Rougvie rose to head a free-kick into the top corner to atone for his earlier error of judgement. However, within a minute John Clark emulated Rougvie when he climbed to head in an Andy McLaren corner and secure victory without the tie going into extra-time.