Dundee Utd 1
Motherwell 2
League (SPL)

Match Report

In the run up to this match, manager Paul Sturrock gave the club a massive boost by vowing to stay at the club next season and beyond, but his decision wasn't to be celebrated bv an elusive home victory. United boss Sturrock made three changes to the side which tost at Dens Park, with Darren Patterson and David Partridge injured while Joaquim Ferraz was suspended after his sending off. Craig Easton, David McCracken and Tony Smith replaced them as he looked to end the season on a high as the new tangerine strip for next season was unveiled. The visitors, still chasing a European place, showed the greater urgency early on with Alan Combe twice having to dash from his charge to avert danger. Some 15 minutes had elapsed before United produced their first effort on target. The ball broke to David Hannah just outside the box, but his weak effort was comfortably saved by Goram low to his right. But the game came to life in the 29th minute as Motherwelt should have scored when Goodman got to Twaddle's cross which beat Combe, but Jason de Vos was on hand to hook the ball away on the goal-line. Almost immediately, United vi/ere reduced to ten men. However, unlike the previous week when there could have been no argument over the dismissal of Ferraz. Only sympathy could be directed towards David McCracken when referee Stuart Dougat brandished a straight red card for his clumsy but far from malicious challenge on Spencer. In the uproar, Tetesnikov earned himself a yellow for his over-zealous protests. Adding insult to injury, Motherwell then took the lead in the 32nd minute when Twaddle crossed from the left for Goodman to fire home from close range. Paul Sturrock immediately brought on Maurice Malpas to help stem the tide. Motherwell's lead proved short-lived as Hamilton was brought down in the box and the former Aberdeen striker stepped up to send Goram the wrong way for his first league goal in tangerine. Right after the interval Jim Hamilton sent a header soaring over the bar from John McQuillan's free-kick and the full-back fired narrowly wide. This proved to be a good spell for the home side with Goram touching over a David Hannah free-kick. Back came Motherwell though and with seventeen minutes left Alan Combe brilliantly thwarted Townsley as he touched over his header from Twaddie's cross. But there was nothing the United keeper could do to prevent Motherwell getting a winner in rather fortuitous fashion. Spencer cut in from left to fire in a shot which was blocked. The rebound fell to Townsley, but his shot was going wide until Goodman deflected it home. Apart from an appeal for a penalty for a foul on Jason
de Vos, Motherwell rebuffed United's efforts for an equaliser and heid on for victory to take their European hopes to the final day of the season. For United, defeat meant it would be next season before they could record the first home win of the Miliennium.