Dundee Utd0–1Aberdeen

United went into the final match of 1993, showing just one change from the side which faltered at Firhill - Christian Dailly replacing Alec Cleland. But there wasn't to be the stylish finish to the year which manager Ivan Golac had requested as league leaders Aberdeen established a lead at the top of the table.

Right from the very start of this holiday fixture play was fast and furious. United, however, paid for an uncertain start against a sharper looking Dons side after 16 minutes when Joe Miller out on the right played the ball into the heart of the penalty area where Eoin Jess showed exactly why he is one of the country's brightest young stars with a deft first touch and turn which deceived Freddy van der Hoorn and gave the youngster time and space to instinctively curl the ball in at the far post from 12 yards. One of United's best chances came only five minutes later when Craig Brewster at full stretch got his head to a Dave Bowman cross. The ball went directly up in the air, allowing the United striker another bite at the cherry but the second header was turned round the post by Snelders who was at full stretch. Whilst the Tangerines were now exerting more influence in terms of possession, they could not afford to relax with Jess and Miller always a threatening menace on the break.

Indeed immediately after the interval Jess only failed by inches to convert a cross-cum-shot from Shearer. That set the trend for the second period as play swung from end to end. Snelders saved a Billy McKinlay grounder from 20 yards and almost immediately United were denied a penalty after Irvine sent Paddy Connolly tumbling in the box. Connor then came to Aberdeen's rescue when he blocked a close range shot from Brian Welsh after Gordan Petric knocked down Billy McKinlay's corner. However, Van de Kamp did likewise for United with a flying leap to claw away a dangerous Joe Miller chip twenty minutes into the second half. The United keeper was even more of a hero when he somehow kept out a crashing Miller drive from substitute Scott Booth's cut back and when the ball broke to Shearer, Dave Bowman blocked his return shot before Guido van de Kamp dropped on the ball as it cannoned off the United defender. Thereafter, Aberdeen were happy to play out time by retaining possession and did so successfully, although in the very last minute, Paddy Connolly worked himself clear but snatched at his shot which flew narrowly over from 8 yards.