Dundee Utd 1
Aberdeen 0
Scottish Cup (Semi Final 2nd Replay)

Match Report

The deadlock was finally broken at the third attempt and it was an lain Ferguson header which carried us into our fifth Scottish Cup final over the past fifteen years.

There was nothing cagey about the manner in which both sides started. Within seconds of the start Charlie Nicholas brought out a fine save from Billy Thornson. but we hit back and took command. Kevin GalIacher was clean through but his shot was blocked by Leighton in 17 minutes. Jim Mclnally burst from nowhere to fire in a low shot which Leighton held well at the near post. At the other end Davie Dodds' met a Neil Simpson cross but Billy Thomson instinctively turned the ball around the post. Before the interval Mixu Paatelainen thumped in a shot from a Kevin Gallacher cut-back, but Leighton was well placed to save.

After the re-start Aberdeen gained control in midfield but failed to create many openings - although Charlie Nicholas did have Billy Thomson at full stretched to save. Defence domination continued until the 76th minute. Eamonn Bannon delicately flighted a pass with the outside of his boot to Kevin Gallacher, who dragged the ball to the bye-line and crossed for Iain Ferguson to flash a downward header past Leighton. It was the first time we had been ahead in the tie, a position we never looked like relinquishing in the final fourteen minutes to take us back to
Hampden.