Aberdeen 3
Dundee Utd 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

It took United just two minutes to take the lead when Paul Sturrock pounced on a miss-hit shot by Gary McGinnis to wheel and plant a low shot past Leighton. The Dons, however, struck back In devastating style. Stuart Gray slung over a cross which John Hewitt volleyed in ferocious fashion. Twelve minutes later Frank McDougall headed in a Neil Simpson cross for Aberdeen to take the lead. Then a mix-up between Paul Hegarty and Billy Thomson allowed John Hewitt in behind the defence, and just as he looked poised to cross the ball, he smacked it into the roof of the net from the narrowest of angles.

Down but not out, United swarmed back in the second half and Gary McGinnis's cross was headed in by Ian Redford after diving full length. A series of near misses almost brought an equaliser. Ralph Milne, Eamonn Bannon, Paul Sturrock and Billy Kirkwood all went close to scoring in the space of five minutes, but Dons weathered that storm to take both points thanks to their blistering opening to the match.