Dundee Utd 1
Rangers 1
League Cup (Quarter Final 2nd Leg)

Match Report

United pushed Rangers to the brink of extra time in the second leg of their Scottish League Cup quarter final meeting at Dens Park.

Fighting against the sun in the first half, United started the better of the two sides and through Emilio Pacione they nearly scored. The clever forward eluded Rangers defenders Ian McColl and Jock Shaw before beating Shaw again and whipping a cross in for Alex Lister to head just over. The United right wing repeatedly cut through the Rangers defence and the Light Blues needed George Young to be alert on more than one occasion, in particular clearing from the line after Lister had headed toward goal. Despite United's dominance, a goal for Rangers arrived after six minutes of play in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. Defending his goal, the Ibrox side's Torry Gillick appeared to handle the ball in the area, but the referee waved play on. In the commotion, Gillick sent Jimmy Duncanson up the park clear on goal, and the Rangers inside left stuck the chance away to make it 1-0. The Rangers men sat back on their lead and continued to contain the United men who remained on the attack; Shaw and Young for Rangers only just keeping them at bay.

The second half started just the same and quickly Rangers were hampered due to an injury to Gillick, who was moved wide. Piper MacKay for United turned the tide. A strong run sent Young the wrong way and following a grand combination of moves, MacKay forced a corner. His resultant cross reached the box and through a crowd of bodies, Alex Lister hooked the ball over their heads and into the net to make it 1-1. It looked as though United would take the lead. Fifteen minutes from time, Bobby Simpson was forced to withdraw due to a kick just below the knee, but even with ten men, United looked the stronger side. As time ran out, the United support were all set for cheering when MacKay beat Young and ran towards goal. After beating Woodburn he struck the ball which sailed past goalkeeper Bobby Brown, but the United winger could only watch in disappointment as the ball cannoned off the crossbar, and the inevitability of a draw and elimination sunk in.