Aberdeen 2
Dundee Utd 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

United’s hopes of finishing third in the SPL and securing a place in the UEFA Cup next season were dealt a blow after they lost 2-1 to rivals Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

A goal in each half from Richard Foster and Karim Touzani gave Craig Levein’s men too much to do and despite a Danny Swanson wonder-goal, United could not find the equaliser.

United started the game brightly and could have taken a first minute lead when a free-kick from Sean Dillon was met by Lee Wilkie, but the United captain could only head straight at Jamie Langfield in the Aberdeen goal.

United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and managed to create several half chances, but it was the home side who took the lead.

Derek Young broke free of the United defence and struck a powerful shot goalwards, which Zaluska could only parry into the path of the advancing Foster who slotted home on the half hour mark.

United hit back almost immediately when Willo Flood crossed for Lee Wilkie, whose header looked to be heading for the top corner until Jamie Langfield managed to get a finger tip to the ball and push it to safety.

Mark Kerr then went close just before half-time when he fired Danny Grainger’s cut-back just wide of the post.

The interval seemed to come too soon for the Tangerines, as with a minute gone in the second half, the home side went 2-0 up when a Barry Nicholson corner was met at the far post by Touzani.

However, United dragged themselves right back into the game from the re-start when Swanson picked the ball up in midfield and danced his way past three players before firing a low shot in off the post.

The goal clearly gave United a boost and they could have equalised when Wilkie tee-ed the ball up for Swanson at the edge of the box, who curled his effort inches wide of the post.

But that, unfortunately, was the closest United came to getting back on level terms.