Dundee 0
Dundee Utd 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

After the midweek defeat to Celtic, Eamonn Bannon swapped places with Maurice Malpas from the substitutes bench for the final Dundee derby of the season. Paul Sturrock had been a doubt after picking up a back injury in the previous game, but was passed fit.

In the sixth minute, Fraser went close with a free-kick for Dundee, and a minute later Geddes had to come sharply off his line at the other end to clutch a Davie Dodds header with Sturrock threatening. Dodds then had the ball in the net in the tenth minute, but Sturrock was ruled offside away from play. Minutes later referee David Syme disallowed a Bobby Glennie own goal, on the grounds that an earlier infringement had taken place. United kept up the pressure and in the 25th minute Scotland midfield man Dave Narey almost put them ahead but his blistering 20 yard volley flew just over. Eamonn Bannon put United ahead in the 35th minute when he nodded home close in after Milne had crossed from the right.

Paul Sturrock increased United's lead six minutes into the second half when he head-flicked a Richard Gough header past Geddes from a Ralph Milne corner. Having seen his blushes spared in the first half, Dundee defender Glennie was unlucky with two efforts in the latter stages, with a 25 yard shot and a close-in header both hitting the woodwork.

United's victory, along with St Mirren dropping points against Aberdeen, kept alive aspirations of a UEFA Cup spot, with United now just three points away from the Paisley side.