Dundee Utd2–1Aberdeen

The new East Stand was officially opened, but for a long time it looked as though Aberdeen would continue their rather infuriating habit of winning at Tannadice, before the Tangerines put in an explosive finish.

Perhaps, we were just making sure that former occupants of the Shed were given the perfect view of the goals which turned the game, both of which were scored in front of the imposing new structure at the old Arklay Street end. Whatever the reason the vocal support coming from that end was a source of inspiration to the players who provided the perfect response, albeit in the last twenty minutes.

However, the outcome might have been all so different had Aberdeen gone ahead, as they really should have, in the very first minute. Former United midfielder Ray McKinnon, was the Dons first half inspiration and within seconds of the kick-off, he drove forward to pick out Eoin Jess on the right wing and his cross from the by-line found Duncan Shearer unmarked. However, the Dons normally reliable striker had timed his jump a fraction too early and his looping header dropped inches over the bar.

It took a while for United to impose themselves in attack, but five minutes from the interval a corner was cleared to Gordan Petric and his curler swerved with such viciousness that it could easily have been an advert for Predator boots had he been wearing them!

Within minutes of the start of the second half, United looked a much more serious attacking force and Andy McLaren found himself with time and space after the Dons defence failed to negotiate a high ball, but the Tannadice striker sliced the ball past the target from a good position.

Just as United were asserting themselves as an attacking force, came a body-blow. Brian Grant drifted wide right, taking a pass from Kane and slung over an innocuous looking cross which deceived goalkeeper Alan Main and went in off the far post. It brought back visions of Kevin Gallacher's goal against Barcelona, but I am sure that Grant wouldn't have had the nerve to say that his was meant!

The Tannadice response was to bring on Jerren Nixon for David Hannah and this proved to be a classic example of what they term, an inspired substitution. From the moment he came on the whole complexion of the match did an about turn. But United's luck appeared to be out as Dragutin Ristic crashed a shot against the inside of the post. Jerren however, had the Dons defence all at sea as won corner after corner, eventually the pressure paid off. Brian Welsh who had salvaged a replay in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final with Aberdeen repeated the feat with an almost identical far post header, this time from a Billy McKinlay corner from the left - a point not lost on Willie Miller in the post-match press conference.

Not satisfied with a mere equaliser, United went for the jugular and the aerial bombardment brought further reward four minutes from time when an inch perfect cross from Jerren Nixon found Craig Brewster running in and he stooped to conquer the Dons when he directed a downward header from eight yards low past Snelders. It was Craig's first goal of the new campaign and United's first and most welcome points of the season.