Dundee Utd 2
Livingston 0
League (SPL)

Match Report

Gordon Chisholm handed a recall to David McCracken in the hope to tighten up the United defence with Stuart Duff and Garry Kenneth both listed as substitutes. There was a welcome return to the bench for club captain Derek McInnes. Barry Robson also started with new man Peter Canero making his home debut. Livi player boss Paul Lambert was not fit enough to make the visitors’ squad.

In a first half dominated by the home side, David Fernandez was a constant threat to his former employers. On the fifteen minute mark he did superbly well to swing in a cross that was cleared by the Livi defence. He then had a powerful shot well saved by McKenzie low to his left. After half an hour McKenzie was again at his best when he made a brilliant one handed save from a Mark Wilson shot. United took a deserved lead on 35 minutes. McKenzie tipped a Fernandez free kick over the top. From Robson’s corner the Spaniard headed home despite a valiant effort to clear by Derek Adams.

In the second period it was United who always looked the more lively. Ten minutes into the half it was almost two when an excellent cross from Robson just failed to find a tangerine jersey. Mark Kerr was then set up by Fernandez but his shot found the side netting. Ten minutes later Fernandez set up Robson but he flicked his shot just wide. Robson again went close following a great run but his shot came back off the inside of the post. With 15 minutes left, United put the game out of reach. Robson found Fernandez who had an overhead kick blocked by the arm of Dorado but the ball fell to Canero who powered the ball home. In the dying minutes Paul Dalglish almost pulled one back for Livi but it was not to be.