Dundee Utd 1
Motherwell 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

The Tannadice playing surface looked a picture though overhead conditions of continuous rain reminded one of November gloom rather than the first home match of the season. Worse still there was not a lot of cheer in our performance. Although territorially dominant, particularly in the first half, the well drilled Motherwell defence restricted us to very few chances.

The first opportunity came thanks to persistence by Paul Kinnaird. He robbed a Motherwell defender on the bye-line and cut the ball back, but Kevin Gallacher's goal attempt was thwarted by Fraser Wishart on the line. Shortly afterwards Billy Thomson blocked a shot from Fairlie and at the other end Jim Mclnally hoisted a high ball to the far post and Eamonn Bannon's hard struck square ball across the face of the goal found no takers.

Chances were even fewer in the second half, but we were given a golden opportunity in the 64th minute when Kevin Gallacher was pulled down in the box. Ian Redford didn't waste the chance by expertly converting the spot-kick award. Our joy was short lived. Billy Thomson failed to collect a through ball and Tom Boyd was on hand to knock the ball into an empty net. With 17 minutes left Ian Redford hovering on the left following a corner was unlucky to see his cute lob brilliantly headed off the line by Fraser Wishart. Eamonn Bannon saw a chip to the far post sail inches past. But at the end no one could deny that Motherwell fully merited a point.