Dundee Utd3–2Rangers

For Rangers first visit of the season we had to forgo the services of Brian Welsh who took a knock on his ankle at Airdrie, but welcomed back Darren Jackson in attack. Dave Narey, suspended the previous Saturday, stepped into Brian Welsh's position, whilst Darren Jackson, playing his first game since being injured against Hibs in August which required a cartilage operation, replaced Christian Dailly up front. It didn't take long for Darren to show his goal target, sending in a volley from 18 yards in the opening stages, but it was straight at Andy Goram. At the other end Guido Van De Kamp reacted quickly to push a well struck Huistra corner round the near post. However, neither side really found their rhythm in those early stages. A goal was needed to spark life into the game and it came at the right end as far as United supporters were concerned. Dave Narey hoisted a free-kick to the edge of the Rangers box and Duncan Ferguson rose to flick the ball on to Ray McKinnon who directed a header from around eight yards well out of Goram's reach. Rangers responded in typical fashion and exerted pressure on us, but their best chance came when Freddy Van Der Hoorn miscued a pass-back which fortunately sailed over the bar. When Rangers did equalise, it was through highly fortuitous circumstances. Jim McInally used an arm to control the ball on the edge of the box and Ally McCoist took full advantage from the spot-kick award. So far in the third successive match, we saw a lead cancelled out by conceding a penalty kick. The remainder of the half produced little by the way of goalmouth incident and was by and large fairly scrappy.

After Rangers had made a bright start to the second period, Duncan Ferguson fired in a low grounder. However, thirteen minutes into the second half proved to be unlucky for us as Ally McCoist broke clear as we appealed unsuccessfully for off-side. The Rangers striker rounded Guido Van De Kamp to put Rangers in front. All that did was to put us to greater effort and only a last ditch intervention by Brown averted the danger when Darren Jackson looked set to capitalise on a tempting lob. The pressure on Rangers mounted and Dave Bowman saw a volley blocked for a corner. Eighteen minutes from the end, Darren Jackson was on the point of being substituted when he was brought down in the box and the United striker got up to sink the penalty award which brought us equality. This intriguing contest took another twist with thirteen minutes left when Darren Jackson was allowed acres of space on the right to fire in a fierce volley. Goram couldn't hold his effort and Duncan Ferguson who was on the spot forced the over the line from close range.