Dundee United 0
Dundee 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Before and during this pulsating Tannadice Street derby, Jim McLean manager's name on everyone's lips. was the

When the Tannadice boss emerged from his office to sit in the dug-out at the start of the second half, he was given a standing ovation and a deafening echo of "McLean Must Stay" from the Tangerine faithful.

But football wouldn't be football without the unexpected. At the end of this thrill-a-minute match, it was the unheralded Dundee manager Donald Mackay who had grabbed the limelight.

After 11 attempts to defeat his former club, Donald finally succeeded in leading Dundee to his first victory over United.

Mind you, it couldn't have done his nerves much good. After deservedly taking a half-time lead to the dressing-room, Dundee were forced to defend virtually non-stop as United set up camp in their penalty box.

But the gods had decreed this was to be Dundee's day. Nothing United conjured up could alter that.

Certainly, I've seen United play better, although they didn't play badly. They deserved a draw, but for once the break of the ball remained with Dundee throughout.

And if effort and endeavour merited two points, then there can be no complaints at Dundee's victory. They all worked like Trojans on and off the ball, the first time I've seen them match United in the latter for far too long.

This was the proverbial game of two halves. Milne and Dodds missed snips early on for United. Then Dundee took over

They had a strong penalty claim rejected when Gough appeared to handle. However, the ref. was on the wrong side to judge, although the stand-side linesman wasn't.

Dundee's goal wasn't so long delayed, however. McKimmie intercepted a Bannon pass meant for Dodds. He despatched the ball quickly forward and Peter Mackle timed his run to beat United's offside trap. He rounded McAlpine and cooly picked his spot before Narey could intercept.

Dundee were first to the ball and played with a tremendous spirit during this spell when they were well on top, although one had the feeling they could have done with another goal, as it was obvious United would hit them with everything after the break.

That's exactly what happened. However, the home side were probably too frantic for their own good.

Holt and Bannon had cracking 20-yard drives which whistled past the wrong side of the posts.

Dundee were living dangerously, especially when Bannon flighted over those deceptive, inswinging corners of his. Glennie cleared a Bannon shot off the line, but one got the feeling Dundee were never going to lose-and so it proved.

They had tremendous service from McKimmie, McKinlay, Smith, Glennie, Mackie, Richardson and Ferguson.

If only they'd display this aggressive determination more often, they wouldn't be too far off being an accomplished outfit.

United only had Gough, Hegarty, Narey and Holt playing to their normal form Wednesday's Euro tie and the doubt about their manager's future definitely had an effect.

Holt was booked for dissent and McKinlay followed him into the book when he brought down Reilly.

Match report written by The Sunday Post