Dundee Utd 1
Dunfermline 0
Scottish Cup (4th Round)

Match Report

After three rip-roaring matches between the two sides, it was expected that the additional impetus of a cup tie would guarantee another cracking contest. This, however, was a game which failed to live up to its much vaunted billing. The exception to that was the opening stages. Andy Smith nodded a foot or so past the post after three minutes and two minutes later Grant Johnson fired in a 25 yarder which flew not too far over.

The Dunfermline goal was lucky to survive intact in the seventh minute when Craig Robertson cleared off the line not once, but twice from net bound shots from Robbie Winters. A goal then may well have changed the pattern of the game which developed into something of a stalemate. Dunfermline possibly edged the first half, thanks to a couple of good chances before the break. First, a Tod header was blocked and then a Petrie shot was cleared off the line, with Pars fans daiming it had gone over. But United responded immediately before the interval with Sandy Robertson sending in a diving header which went just wide.

That was the last contribution from the midfietder who was replaced by Ray McKinnon as the game re-started in the second half. The cagey nature of the game continued until the hour mark when Ally Maxwell made a fine save from Smith's shot on the turn and at the other end Guido van de Kamp was at full stretch to tip over a snapshot from Robbie Winters.

The United goal did survive a couple of hairy moments 13 minutes from the end when Craig Robertson just failed to make contact with Moore's low cross. But the tie was to be decided at the other end eight minutes from time. Ally Maxwell's long clearance was knocked on by Christian Dailly. Craig Robertson, who had starred for the visitors, slipped and the ball ran to substitute Craig Brewster who fired in a low angular drive into the far corner.