Dundee Utd0–0Motherwell

There was good news and bad news on the injury front for United fans. On the plus side skipper Maurice Malpas returned to the side after missing eight matches, but Dave Narey was not quite 100% fit due to a groin strain. Both sides made an enterprising start, but some neat build up play wasn't matched by the incisiveness needed near goal. United's best chance of the first period came after 24 minutes. Mark Perry got his head to Billy McKinlay's cross from the byeline and when Brian Welsh head flicked the ball on, it landed at the feet of Andy McLaren whose first time shot was deflected up and over the bar. Four minutes later Andy McLaren went close again with a lovely turn which took him away from his marker, but he shot narrowly past.

In the second half, United were to enjoy more than their fair share of good fortune. In the 64th minute O'Donnell's defence splitting pass found McGrillen and he crashed a first time shot against the base of the post. Thirteen minutes later the other post came to our rescue when Freddy van der Hoorn turned a Kirk cross against the upright. We survived an even narrower shave eleven minutes from the end when Mark Perry was adjudged to have brought down McGrillen in the box, but McKinnon scooped the spot kick way over the bar. That was the signal for a hectic last ten minutes when both sides created a host of chances as they tried to snatch the winner, but the result which is becoming so predictable when Motherwell come to Tannadice€ was a draw - for the fifth successive Premier match on Tayside. At the end Tommy McLean was the happier manager, especially as his side still haven't won at Tannadice since January 1976!