Dundee Utd 1
Inverness CT 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

It took until the 6th minute for a notable attempt on goal, with Billy Dodds heading straight at Mark Brown after McIntyre’s headed pass. In a scrappy opening period both sides were limited mainly to set pieces around the area with neither goalkeeper being called into action. Brewster went close for Inverness before the opening goal came for United on 29 minutes. A move down the right side involving Dodds and Mark Wilson broke down and Duff floated the ball back into the area from the left. Inverness defender Grant Munro got a head to the ball but succeeded only in looping the ball into the corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Brown helpless. The visitors however hit straight back and equalised in 37 minutes, courtesy of a penalty from Barry Wilson. A Darren Dods downward shot bounced back up off the arm of captain for the day Billy Dodds purely in self defence, however referee Brines adjudged the incident to be a spot kick offence. Wilson slotted the kick straight down the middle to level the scores. United responded and Mark Kerr sent a half volley wide off the left post as the sides reached half time all square.

The second half was played out in much the same fashion, with efforts on goal proving a rarity. Stevie Crawford broke from midfield early in the half however after an earlier pull at his jersey, United were awarded a free kick despite the fact that Jim McIntyre had broken clear on goal. Half time sub Barry Robson took the kick but the ball curled just wide off the left post. It looked as if the Tangerines were about to fall behind in 59 minutes, with Wilson just managing to clear a goal-bound Bayne header off the line after Bullock was beaten to the ball. With a quarter of the game remaining United came desperately close to taking the lead. After Wilson’s corner had initially been dealt with, Lee Mair was presented with a chance 6 yards out, however his header was straight at Brown. The rebound fell to McIntyre 8 yards out but the goalkeeper had closed the front man down and was able to block his side-footed attempt. Unfortunately for the hosts, this was as close as they would come to the winner in what was a very disappointing performance overall. The away side Inverness will be happier with their point and United will view this as a missed opportunity with other results going their way.