Dundee Utd4–0Motherwell

After temporarily being displaced by Aberdeen whose match with Killie had been brought forward. United moved back into pole position with this third successive 4-0 win. Just under 12,000 noisy fans came out to support the team in their penultimate match in what was starting to look like a historic season for the club.

United looked edgy as they began the match at home to Motherwell. However, in captain Paul Hegarty, they had a player who was always there to sweep up any danger caused by the Fir Park club. His presence has been immensely re-assuring to the team over the last few weeks, always so dependable in pressure situations. However, it was team-mate Bannon who was created all the problems at the other end. Eamonn Bannon's opened the scoring with a magnificent free-kick in the 27th minute that settled the nerves. He guided the ball around the Motherwell defensive wall into the farthest away point from goalkeeper Nicky Walker. From this moment on, United began to play with the freedom that has got them into this commanding league position. But they had to settle for a solitary goal lead at the interval.

Eamonn Bannon doubled United's lead shortly after the interval when he converted a penalty. It was Paul Sturrock who won the award after going down following a late challenge by Forbes. Sturrock had gone down minutes earlier in the box but referee Syme ignored the claims. Davie Dodds made it three in the 72nd minute with a fine finish. With just 8 minutes remaining, Davie Dodds clinched the match when he finished off a spectacular footballing move in which Bannon was instrumental. Walker had done well to parry away Milne's shot, but he could not deny Dodds. So a double from both Dodds and Bannon had set the stage for an almighty clash between the Dundee neighbours at Dens Park the following week. Afterwards Jim McLean went to some length to insist that his team will not feel the pressure this week. Time will tell.