St Mirren 0
Dundee Utd 1
League Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

Jim Mclnally, starting his first game of the season for Andy McLaren, was the only change in United's starting line-up for this tricky tie at Love St. The first half set the trend of this hard fought and at times tough encounter. Hewitt was booked midway through the opening period after a flare up with Billy Mckinlay. It wasn't until the 33rd minute that either side posed a threat to either keeper, Barry Lavety cutting in from the left and rifling in a shot from an acute angle which Alan Main beat down. The minute before the interval saw both sides go close. First McWhirter headed narrowly past and United broke to the other end where Paddy Connolly was thwarted by the advancing Money as he bore in on goal.

Saints enthusiastic youngsters were certainly giving us a run for our money, we survived a penalty claim after Lavety went down in a tackle from John Clark and at this stage United were finding it difficult to stamp any authority on the game. Indeed, it took a tremendous one handed save by Alan Main to keep out a Lavety 25 yard volley in the 58th minute. Billy McKinlay carved out the best chance of the game so far eleven minutes later when he laid the ball into Paddy Connolly's path, but he failed to beat Money in a one-on-one situation with the keeper. The compliment was returned thirteen minutes from the end as Paddy Connolly left three defenders trailing in his wake before laying the ball back to Billy McKinlay who struck a near post shot from 12 yards into the net via the inside of the post. There weren't too many anxious moments for United supporters as United safely negotiated the final minutes to secure a place in the last eight.