Dundee Utd 1
Motherwell 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

Alex Smith rang just one change following the disappointing result in Glasgow as Allan Smart made his first start, replacing Charlie Miller. Aberdeen born Warren Cummings was also added to the bench, having signed on a six month loan from Chelsea.

Motherwell piled on the pressure from the word go and in the third minute of the match they got their reward with the opening goal. A Stevie Hammell corner was flicked into the area and the ball fell perfectly for Stephen Pearson who knocked the ball home from close range. Calls for offside went unnoticed as Derek Adams broke free and passed the ball to an unmarked Keith Lasley. Paul Gallacher, though, got down to block a shot at goal with his legs to prevent a second. Though industrious, United failed to create any chances during the first half, continuing to defend against a determined Motherwell. A headed chance for Dirk Lehmann flew wide just before the half hour and shortly after James McFadden gathered a loose ball before dribbling into enough space to fire a left footed curling shot past the post.

For the first time this season, Alex Smith made some half time changes, with Miller and Cummings coming off the bench for Jamie McCunnie and Derek Lilley, and within a minute of the restart, United had drawn level. A cross from Smart reached Jim McIntyre who sent a volley into the ground and over the head of Stevie Woods in the Steelmen goal. Smart was involved again six minutes later, latching on to a Steven Thompson ball, before lashing a shot off the post and out to safety. The goal had changed the flow of the game, with possession and chances shared more evenly between the sides. A chance for McFadden went begging following an hour's play and at the other end, Cummings showed signs of class to skip past Ramsay before crossing to McIntyre, who could only head the ball straight into the clutches of Woods. The post was found again soon after, this time Thompson rattling it, and with the rebound he could only direct it behind. Thompson shot wide again with ten minutes remaining, having collected a ball from Stuart Duff and with the final chance of the game, Arnar Gunnlaughsson fired a free kick straight at Woods to see the teams finish with a point apiece.