Dundee Utd 2
Raith Rovers 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Two nothing up and cruising at half time, only what Manager Ivan Golac described as amateurish defending prevented us claiming both points from a match which was there for the taking. Apart from Andy McLaren hitting the side netting in the seventh minute, Raith enjoyed the bulk of the early play, but despite winning a string of corners failed to force a save from Alan Main.

Indeed it was midway through the half before we had a shot on target - Craig Brewster directing a low shot too close to Scott Thomson to unduly trouble the former United keeper. The same could not be said about the next effort on goal. A cute flick from Billy McKinlay into the path of Dave Bowman and he unleashed a terrific angled drive from 25 yards way beyond the reach of Scott Thomson to put us in front. Seven minutes later and the Tangerines scored another great goal. Andy McLaren's penetrating run from virtually the half way line culminated in his cross cum shot taking a deflection to completely beat Scott Thomson. Raith threatened briefly before the break as Peter Hetherston scooped the ball over after latching on to a cross which Alan Main punched out. Only Freddy van der Moorn's late intervention then prevented Gordon Dalziel from being through on goal.

These warnings went unheeded though and 12 minutes into the second period, Raith pulled one back when the ball travelled from Dalziel into Jason Dair on the left and he was calm and collected as he stroked the ball into the far corner. This only served the Tangerines into retaliation and the Raith goal was to lead a charmed life as United struck the woodwork three times in as many minutes! A free flowing move down the right was started by Christian Dailly and Andy McLaren took the return pass and released a perfect cross to the head of Craig Brewster whose effort was tipped on to the bar by Scott Thomson. Christian Dailly then headed a Brian Welsh high ball against the foot of the post before Craig Brewster turned to crack in a 25 yarder which Scott Thomson touched on to the bar. When George McGeachie and Dave Bowman squared up to each other with ten minutes left both were booked, but the Raith defender had already been booked and was consequently dismissed. Undaunted Raith pursued an equaliser with renewed vigour and got their reward when Jimmy Nicholl's corner was headed on by Graham at the near post and Stephen Crawford, Raith's other Under 21 call up, nodded in the equaliser with just four minutes remaining.