Falkirk 3
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Billy Kirkwood filled the voids left by David Hannah's suspension and Craig Brewster's injury by bringing in Christian Dailly and Sergio. Given the threat of relegation and a pitch which became firmer as the afternoon wore on, this proved to be an entertaining game and one which at the interval, United looked well capable of winning.

Indeed, it was United who almost drew first blood after only five minutes when Gordan Petric met a Billy McKinlay corner, but the Yugoslav's header was ushered off the line by Rice with Parks well beaten. McGrillen then saw a his shot drift past and John Hughes went even closer when he ran in from the left to meet a Brian Rice free-kick, but his header bounced narrowly past the far post. And as Falkirk enjoyed their best spell of the game United produced a goal out of nothing. Kelham O'Hanlon's punt up field was headed on by Mark Perry. The ball fell into Sergio's path who without breaking his stride quick-wittedly from 25 yards lobbed the ball over Parks who had strayed from his line.

There was immediately a scare for United when Kirk was allowed a free header but failed to find the target from only three yards. Before the break Mark Perry bounded clear down the left might have done better than fire past the near post and right on the interval, Sergio sent an overhead kick just over. United therefore finished the half looking quite commanding. However, all that was count for nothing as Falkirk hit back very quickly in the second halt. Weir powered his way to the right hand bye-line before crossing for Mo Johnston to send in a diving header which bounced high into the roof of the net.

United's fans hearts were in their mouths when Kirk released McGrillen clear on the half-way line, but the danger was nipped in the bud by Gordan Petric's timely tackle on the former Motherwell striker on the edge of the box. Eleven minutes from time came a desperate blow to United's survival hopes when Rice crossed from near the corner flag on the left and Kelham O'Hanlon got a hand to, but couldn't prevent Steve Kirk's header from going over the line.

Twice before the close, there were near things around Parks goal, but in the very last minute when Hughes returned a corner low into the middle and Johnston's flick found McDonald who prodded in a third to severely jeopardise United's Premier status.

Kirkwood commented, "Things can only get better, but we are down to five matches and running out of time"