Dundee United 1
Dundee 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

A typical local derby, exactly what United did not want prior to the most important game in their history.

The Tangerines were terrorised by their city neighbours, desperately battling against relegation, and any thoughts of United receiving a fond farewell before flying out to Rome were well and truly thrown out of Tannadice from the kick-off.

By time up Dundee had snatched a priceless point. But it was thanks to sheer endeavour rather than skill, for what little football was on show came from the hosts. Minus four regulars, United should really have put the issue beyond doubt before half-time. It's to be hoped their finishing will be lethal on Wednesday.

For example, in the 25th minute a Hegarty header left Reilly with the simplest of chances practically on the goal- line. Somehow or other he missed it.

Some five minutes later Tannadice then witnessed what must rank as the escape of the season.

Geddes did extremely well to touch a Bannon drive on to a post. But from there Lady Luck took over as the ball went along the goal-line, off Glennie's boot, back on to the post, then back again to the Dundee defender before he finally cleared.

But just on the break John Clark showed how it should be done when d quick piece of thinking at a free kick saw him play a 1-2 with Dodds and rifle his shot into the corner of the net.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Hamish McAlpine must have been hoping things will be as quiet in Roma's Olympic Stadium in midweek. He had just one save of note to make, fully 52 minutes into the game, when he tipped a Harris header over the top. Even so, he could do nothing about the equaliser.

A superb 50-yard pass from McKinlay found the United defence wanting for the first time in the afternoon, and McCall pounced to record his 18th goal of the season.

Add to that another couple of smashing saves from Geddes, including a touch on to the post from a Bannon free kick in the dying minutes, and you can see why Dundee were punching the sky at the end.

As I said, it was furious stuff, and things boiled over four minutes from time.

Cammy Fraser, who had been booked just five minutes into the game for dissent, was given first shot of the bath water after a wild challenge on Munro, and he gesticulated all the way to the tunnel while team-mate Glennie was being booked for dissent.

Best for United were Munro, Holt, Hegarty and Bannon, with Geddes, Mclnally, McKinlay and Fraser best performances for the visitors.

Match report written by The Sunday Post