Dundee Utd 1
Falkirk 5
League (SPL)

Match Report

United lost out to Falkirk for the third time this season going down to a heavy 5-1 reversal. Cregg’s penalty was cancelled out by Robson only for O’Donnell to give the Bairns a half time lead. The second half belonged to Alan Gow who netted an impressive hat-trick to round off a dismal day for United.

After the excellent 3-1 victory over Aberdeen, Craig Levein unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting eleven for the New Year’s day fixture with Falkirk. One new face was Margaro Gomis, listed as a substitute who joined United from Cowdenbeath. John Hughes was forced to make one change with Alan Gow replacing the talented Anthony Stokes who had returned to Arsenal following a successful loan spell.

The Bairns went in at the break with a deserved 2-1 advantage. Cregg had them ahead from the penalty spot on 15 minutes after he himself was pulled down by Kenneth. Barry Robson had United level after 41 minutes when, from a Duff cross, he headed home from 16 yards out. On the stroke of half time O’Donnell restored the visitors’ lead when he latched on to the excellent Latapy pass and drilled a left foot shot in off Stillie’s far post.

United started the second half well and were almost level when Kenneth headed just over from a Robson free kick. Conway and Duff then both went close from long distance as United looked to continue their recent run of fine results. However, the last half hour was to be a disaster for the Tangerines with Alan Gow bagging a hat-trick with counters on the 64th, 76th and 90th minutes.