Airdrie 2
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

After the midweek success in Monaco, manager Jim McLean stuck with the same starting eleven, with Richard Gough and Graeme Payne keeping their places on the bench.

Airdrie took a shock lead in the 20th minute when Hamish McAlpine missed a John Flood corner, and Sandy Clark sneaked in at the back post to tuck the ball away. Five minutes later United were dealt a further blow when Paul Sturrock had to go off injured, replaced by Payne. However not long after they pulled level; after an impressive run down the wing, Eamonn Bannon's cross was met by substitute Graeme Payne as he headed in the equaliser. Davie Dodds and Davie Narey both missed chances to put United in front before the interval, but the teams went in all square.

United's lethargic performance in the second half created little, and with the players seemingly happy to play out for a point, disaster struck with two minutes to go. As concentration lapsed, Narey gave the ball away inside the area, and Willie McGuire was brought down by Iain Phillip. The referee awarded a penalty, and Sandy Clark grabbed his second of the afternoon from the spot, to give Airdrie their first win of the season.