Dundee Utd 2
Ayr Utd 1
League Cup (Section 4)

Match Report

After four straight wins United entered this match knowing that one point would see them clinch section four. However, up next were their nearest challengers, Ayr United, lead by Willie McLean, brother of Jim. There was only one change from the midweek win over Partick, with Willie Pettigrew swapping places with Davie Dodds on the bench.

In the fourth minute, a prefect Paul Sturrock cut back was narrowly missed by both Dodds and Ralph Milne, and five minutes later Staurt Rennie had two distinctive saves crosses by Dodds and Frank Kopel. Ayr's Eric Morris then had a 25 yard rocket strike the underside of the bar before bouncing to safety in the 14th minute. Eight minutes later Eamonn Bannon crossed for Sturrock, but his header was just inches too high. Dodds then came close twice, with a snap shot from the edge of the box and a header from a Milne corner both just going wide.

Twelve minutes into the second half and United finally got the goal they wanted. John Holt connected to a Milne corner to score with a magnificent header from 12 yards out, his first goal in almost a year. Ten minutes later the First Division side hit back, with ex-United striker Derek Frye notching an equaliser from 15 yards. Ayr saw efforts denied by the woodwork and a clearance off the goal line, but it was United who grabbed the victory, when Jim Fleeting put through his own goal, under pressure from Sturrock with only six minutes remaining. That victory retained our 100% record in section four, and guaranteed that the holders would top the group to progress to the quarter finals.