Dundee Utd 1
Aberdeen 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

This top of the table clash attracted a bumper crowd of almost 18,000, but Aberdeen again proved so very hard to beat as they stretched their unbeaten League run at Tannadice to ten matches.

Events during most of the first half indicated that this run could be coming to an end as we dominated play. After five minutes Mixu Paatelainen headed narrowly past from a Billy McKinlay cross, but there was better fortune for us in the 14th minute. Kevin Gallacher released Hamish French on the right and the former Keith player sprinted in on goal and despatched the ball past Snelders and although the Dutchman did get a hand to the ball, he couldn't prevent the ball entering the net. This provoked a flurry of Dons pressure, but it was at the other end that another goal almost came when a snap shot by Mixu Paatelainen dipped narrowly past. Then Hamish French fired just wide and shortly afterwards set up a couple of chances for Kevin Gallacher, who on each occasion couldn't get the final touch. After all this dominance Dons' equaliser three minutes before half-time was a bitter pill to swallow. Charlie Nicholas strode on to a through ball and shot low past Billy Thomson for an undeserved equaliser.

The second half was disappointing with Aberdeen generally having the better of the exchanges, but rarely troubling Billy Thomson. The highlight of the second period came late in the game when a scorching 35 yard first time drive by Gary McGinnis was turned round the post by Snelders six minutes from the end, so Aberdeen the only side to wrestle a point from us since November 19th.