Kilmarnock 1
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

There was a sharp contrast in styles between United's more patient waiting game and Killie's all action style. In truth, however, this was a game in which United always looked the likelier side to score.

Killie had got off to a flying start to the first Premier campaign for ten years, but they rarely threatened Alan Main. Indeed, the home side managed just one rather half-hit shot on target in the whole of the first half. True, Tom Black did hit the sidenetting, but it was United who always threatened most and a coupie of minutes later Mark Perry's through ball found Billy McKinlay in space on the right and Geddes was glad to turn his shot from a narrow angle round the post for a corner. Scott Crabbe then sent a volley slithering across the face of the goal after a crisp build up involving Billy McKinlay and Andy McLaren. Three minutes before the interval United passed up a great opportunity to go ahead. Paddy Connolly took the direct route to goal, jinking past a couple of defenders before Montgomerie up ended him. The referee ruled it was inside the box. But Scott Crabbe's penalty kick was blocked by Geddes and scrambled clear.

Incredibly, Killie went ahead with what was virtually there first serious attack. Mitchell laid the ball back to McPherson from a corner and his first time cross was headed well out of Alan Main's reach by teenager Mark Roberts. Manager Ivan Golac responded by bringing on Christian Dailly for Scott Crabbe. Five minutes later Billy McKinlay conjured up a truly magnificent equaliser. Billy McKinlay played a one-two with Jim Mclnally on the just inside Killie's half and drove unchallenged for about 20 yards before producing a breath-taking chip from 35 yards which beat Geddes all ends up. Rain fell incessantly through the second period in which United became increasingly threatening. Quarter of an hour from the end Mark Perry drilled a shot narrowly past and we spurned an even better opportunity with just eight minutes remaining. Andy McLaren waltzed through the heart of Killie's defence from almost the halfway line and elected to shoot even although he had support, but knocked his effort wide of the target. A goal then would have meant two points instead of one and that would have been no more than United deserved.