Motherwell 0
Dundee Utd 4
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Dave Narey, who had been having trouble with a big toe, passed a late fitness test as United went into the game at Fir Park at full strength, hoping to get back to winning ways after four consecutive defeats. Davie Dodds came in for Graeme Payne who dropped to the bench, and Frank Kopel replaced Derek Frye as the other substitute.

United made the best possible start with a goal from Paul Sturrock in the first minute. It all began when Wark fouled Davie Dodds just outside the Motherwell penalty box. George Fleming took the free kick and slid the ball to Dave Narey whose drive for goal hit the defensive wall and broke to Sturrock who slammed the ball into the net. A great start and United went further ahead in nine minutes, this time through Dave Narey who was right on the spot to lash the ball into the roof of the net after keeper Rennie had done well to keep out a shot from Kirkwood. Dodds was not far away with a long-ranger and Fleming was close with another before Motherwell first looked dangerous. Stark had to concede a corner and when it came over, Pettigrea got his head to the ball and United were happy to see the ball cleared off the line. Stark and Dodds combined to let the right back get a shot in, but his effort was well wide of the target. In 33 minutes United moved further ahead, when a corner on the right was headed out to Hegarty and when he crossed into the goalmouth, Paul Sturrock was on hand to bullet the ball with his head past a helpless Rennie.

Within two minutes of the restart, United had a glaring penalty ignored by the referee, when Dodds sent Sturrock clean through in search of his hat-trick. With only Rennie to beat, left-back Kennedy pulled him down inside the box, but the referee ignored claims from the irate United players. Three minutes later justice appeared to be done when Pettigrew was downed in the other box and the referee turned down Motherwell's pleas. Rennie had a great save from Narey and United were well on top. Fifteen minutes from the end United put the issue completely beyond doubt. This time they were awarded a penalty when Kennedy up-ended Sturrock for a second time and Ray Stewart blasted the ball past the keeper. Before the end only inches prevented Sturrock from scoring his hat-trick. The result eased United back to the top of the Premier League, sitting above St Mirren on goal difference, and a point above Aberdeen and Rangers.