Dundee Utd 2
Dundee 3
League (First Division)

Match Report

Dundee reversed the scoreline from the first derby meeting of the season, but although United found themselves trailing by three goals immediately after the interval, only a tremendous save by Michel Pageaud near the end prevented us grabbing an equaliser.

Ray McKinnon for Gary McSwegan was the first change in United's starting line-up in six league games with Ray McKinnon starting the first match of his second spell at Tannadice in place of Gary McSwegan. It was certainly no happy start for the midfielder's first home appearance with Dundee establishing a two goal lead within fifteen minutes!

Both goals were similar in build-up and in lack of concentration in the heart of the United defence. Paul Tosh slung over a cross from the left from which George Shaw with acres of room sent a glancing header well out of Ally Maxwell's reach.

Morten Wieghorst and Paul Tosh were also involved in the visitor's second goal, Another Tosh cross, this time tiighted to the far post was headed back across goal by Jim Hamilton and George Shaw picked his spot for his second headed goal. Although United then dictated proceedings, opening up the Dark Blues defence proved more problematical. However, we did pass up a great chance to get back in the game when Owen Coyle headed over a Robbie Winters' cross.

A goal then might have made all the difference and when Morten Wieghorst was allowed to rise unchallenged to head in a McCann corner from the right only three minutes into the second half, United's cause looked a lost one. However, with Craig Brewster on for Owen Coyle in the second half, United at last showed a little bit more penetration and got their reward in the 57th minute. Andy McLaren beat Dusan Vrto on the left to cross and Craig Brewster headed into the top right hand corner for his first league goal since the opening day of the season.

Nine minutes later Maurice Malpas celebrated his 500th league appearance with his goal of the season and more importantly put United right back into this contest. He worked a great one-two with Craig Brewster on the edge of the box to tuck the ball into the far corner from 15 yards. Now fired up, United were unfortunate not to level with 12 minutes remaining when Vrto didn't get enough on his header intended for his keeper and Robbie Winters pounced and ran in on goal, but Michel Pageaud fisted away his powerfully struck shot which was otherwise destined for the top left-hand corner. That, unfortunately, was United's last real chance as Dundee held on to leap-frog United into second place in the table.

CLUB COMMENT - "It's a major handicap to lose three goals in the manner we did, especially against Dundee. Even then I felt we deserved a point, but the final result is all that counts. At least it was a quality game especially for the neutrals." - BILLY KIRKWOOD, MANAGER.