Hamilton2–1Dundee Utd

Douglas Park was wet and wind-swept for this Skol Cup tie, which proved such a disappointment. There was early warning of the danger in prospect when the un-marked McKee headed past from a MacDonald cross after 20 minutes. Four minutes later there was no such luck when Stephen Carr hammered in a 25 yarder and the greasy ball slipped through Billy Thomson's hands. By way of reply Kevin Gallacher headed a Jimmy McInally cross past the near post. Three minutes later Freddy Van Der Hoorn brought out a fine save from Ferguson after his first effort from a free-kick had been blocked. The best chance to fall our way in the first period came two minutes before half-time. Maurice Malpas hoisted a high ball into the Accies half. Jim McInally sprung the offside trap but Ferguson advanced from goal to block Jimmy's shot on the edge of the box.

Despite the advantage of wind and slope in the second half, it was Hamilton who increased their lead six minutes into the second half. Colin Harris's long slanting cross was headed in by Kevin McKee. Peter Hinds immediately came on to make his debut, replacing Mixu Paatelainen. Accies U21 'keeper, however, was in superb form as he clearly demonstrated with a finger-tip save from a racing 25 yard by Maurice Malpas. We finally pulled back a goal in injury time when a cross from Freddy Van Der Hoorn arrived at Peter Hinds' feet and the substitute drove the ball home from close range.