Motherwell 0
Dundee Utd 1
Scottish Cup (4th Round Replay)

Match Report

37 year old Dave Narey made a surprise comeback after a five month absence and played a leading part in United's victory in this cup replay, stamping his class on everything he did. In a new defensive formation, Dave Narey played at sweeper with Gordan Petric moving forward in front of the three man central defence. Whilst the level of drama may not have matched the first meeting there was still enough to keep the near capacity crowd on their toes. There was a major scare for the large contingent of United supporters in the 14th minute when Guido Van de Kamp went down injured as he collected a Coyne cross at the feet of Phil O'Donnell. Play was held up for fully four minutes as the Club Doctor administered treatment to a dislocated finger. The United keeper soon proved his injury was not going to restrict him as he dived quickly to his left on to Steve Kirk's shot on the turn. That was one of few shots on target in the period.

The second half started as had the first with Dykstra saving from Scott Crabbe but this time he could only palm Scott Crabbe's first time effort round the post. The tempo of the game certainly lifted in the second half and Phil O'Donnell embarked on a probing run and drive which Guido Van de Kamp tipped over the bar. Motherwell were enjoying their best spell of the game when the goal which was to ultimatety decide this tie was scored at the other end. Gordan Petric played the ball to Scott Crabbe whose pass out to the left found Jerren Nixon and from his cross Christian Dailly's effort was blocked. However, the ball ran loose to Brian Welsh who adeptly sent a right foot curler round the defenders in front of him and into the net from 16 yards to the delight of the huge United support immediately behind that goal.

Less than a minute later came the incident which marred United's victory celebrations. Scott Crabbe charged down a clearance and bore in on Dykstra, but he took a step too many and had to be stretchered off with what proved to be a broken ankle. Obviously Motherwell piled on the pressure, but apart from a McKinnon volley with the outside of his foot which Guido Van de Kamp touched over, United survived with a degree of comfort and twice Craig Brewster hit blistering drives which Dykstra couldn't hold.

Manager Ivan Golac felt this match shouldn't have been necessary, but at the end expressed his satisfaction at the way the lads had booked their quarter final place at the second attempt.