Livingston0–2Dundee Utd

United qualified for the semi-final of the CIS Insurance Cup in an exciting encounter at The City Stadium against hosts Livingston earlier this evening. Two goals from Derek Lilley did the damage and the Tangerines will now play Celtic in the first week in February.

Manager Paul Hegarty stayed with the eleven that had started the match against Celtic on Sunday.

The first half was a fairly even affair with Livingston having the territorial and possession advantage but rarely troubling Gallacher. Steven Thompson took a heavy knock in the early stages that seemed to affect him for the remainder of his involvement in the match. It took a headed goal by the industrious Derek Lilley to break the deadlock miniutes before half-time and the travelling United support were more than delighted to see their team go in at the interval one goal ahead.

Livingston came out on the attack in search of an equaliser but again, the United defence held firm. United passed up a superb scoring opportunity when Miller sent Thompson through on the keeper but the in form striker failed to convert. In what was to prove a significant substitution midway through the second period, Smart came on for Paterson with McIntyre dropping back and it was in an incident in the Livi penalty box that led to two red cards and a penalty for United. First Rubio was despatched immediately followed by Smart. Then Referee Mike McCurry pointed to the penalty spot and Derek Lilley hit an excellent penalty to put the visiting side two up. Jim Leishman’s side continued to push hard and hit the bar before the end but United won through and now Celtic stand in the way of the Tangerine’s first final slot in this tournament since 1997-98 campaign when they lost to their semi opponents at Ibrox in the final.