Dundee Utd 2
St Mirren 1
League Cup (Sectional Tie)

Match Report

Newcastle spy, Keith Birkenshaw, was in the crowd to gather a report on United ahead of their Fairs Cup match. United were looking to get their first home win of the season while St Mirren still had a chance to qualify for the cup quarter-finals.

St Mirren came close after just three minutes.A cute flick into the middle by Kane let Blair in with a chance, but Mackay managed to toe the ball to safety. Then it was United's turn with Scott teeing the ball up for Wilson, but the winger blasted high over the bar. Sustained pressure from United for the next ten minutes brought no joy, and in 14 minutes Saints broke away to gain a free-kick mid-way inside United's half.McLaughlin's set piece to the far post was met by Bobby Adamson, who headed low into the corner of the net. A bad pass from Gillespie on the 18 yard line let in Kane with a chance and as the centre's shot bounced towards goal, Maryland rushed in to clear off the line.

Aided by a stiff breeze, United sailed into attack after the interval but it was Saint's who twice came within an ace of scoring, with Blair scorning two opportunities. United equalised int he 57th minute. Andy Rolland made ground before passing to Reid and after accepting the return, hammered in a great shot that Thorburn touched but could not stop. United had their tails up now and Scott flashed in a great shot that went just past the 'keepers right hand post. But in 70 minutes their pressure paid off. Hogg crossed from the left for Alec Reid to net from 12 yards. Nine minutes from time and St Mirren substituted Hamilton for Gilshan in an effort to establish equality, but United hung on grimly to their slender lead. The second half rally by United brought them their first home win of the season and ended St Mirren's hopes of stealing a League Cup quarter-final place.