Dundee 4
Dundee United 3
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

THE opening phase of the Dundee-United match was typical derby fare as both sides showed plenty of commitment but little In the way of skill as the proceedings carried on at breakneck pace.

However a two-goal burst from Dundee United midway through the half put them firmly in the driving seat as they began to show all their old flair.

Dundee's defence was badly at fault for the 22nd minute opener when a long throw-in from John Clark was picked on by Paul Hegarty.

Three home defenders had the chance to clear but failed and Maurice MALPAS raced in to crack home the opener.

Two minutes later the visitors from across the street were two up following a Paatelainen cross which Gallagher got a touch to.

The ball took a deflection off the chest of a Dundee defender and fell nicely for Michael O'NEILL, the recent big money capture from Newcastle United, to blast in a spectacular drive to the top comer of the net.

This belatedly stung the Dark Blues into action and Rab Shannon was only inches away from counting with a 20-yard drive which curled past Thomson's far post.

But the Dens Parker's' fighting spirit brought them back into things In the 31st minute when a Shannon cross was only partially cleared by Hegarty and Keith WRIGHT seized on the loose ball to send a dipping volley in under the crossbar at the far post.

The dramatic proceedings were brought to a head five minutes from the interval when Harvey sent McBride clear on the left and his marvellous touchline cross was delicately head-dipped into the far comer of the net by Keith WRIGHT from point-blank range.

Hamish French replaced Billy McKinlay in the United midfield at half time but it was fullback John Clark who went closest to re-establishing the United lead with a 20 yard shot that was fumbled round the post by Geddes.

Geddes inability to hold on to the ball eventually cost his side the lead in 58 minutes when PAATELAINEN had his header from a Gallagher free kick parried and followed up to blast in the rebound.

But the hosts fought back yet again and went level just two minutes later following defensive error at the other end

MxBride's cross from the byline seemed to confuse Thomson and the ball broke of him into the path of Kelth WRIGHT who made no mistake by claiming his hat-trick.

This extraordinary game took a further twist 14 minutes from the end when Joe MCBRIDE gave the home team the lead for the first time with a beautifully curled free kick from the edge of the box which bent round the wall and flew in offthe inside of the post.

Match report written by Aberdeen Evening Express