Dundee 2 United 1

In a manner in keeping with the theme of this season, relegation was confirmed tonight at Dens as United squandered a lead before going on to lose with little over a minute to go. It was particularly hard to swallow as, following Edward Ofere's opener in the 54th minute, an overdue derby win had looked on the cards. By Ally Stewart Having endured so much adversity this season, there was a larger band of Arabs in attendance than had been mooted prior to the game and they made themselves heard as the game got underway. The game immediately flowed from end to end with efforts from Edward Ofere, who glanced a Paul Paton delivery straight into the hands of Scott Bain, and Simon Murray whose shot was blocked at close range by Darren O’Dea following Blair Spittal’s low cross. Despite looking nervous on occasions the United rearguard were largely keeping Greg Stewart and Kane Hemmings at bay however, as the game edged towards half time, Hemmings had a sniff when a dangerous delivery from the right was watched by Kawashima but Dundee’s top scorer instead turned the ball away from the direction of the goal. In 40 minutes Hemmings should have done far better after the hosts broke forward when Paul Dixon gave the ball away in midfield. Unmarked at the edge of the box all the Englishman could do was hook the ball several feet over. On the stroke of half time Mark Durnan flashed a near post header high over from Spittal’s corner before Craig Wighton shot low into the arms of Kawashima meaning the half ended goalless. In 54 minutes the breakthrough was made – by the Terrors - with an excellent move which started on the left through Murray who played a clever ball to John Rankin to tee up perfectly for Ofere to slot home from 6 yards past Bain. Just afterwards Murray had a shot on the angle deflected for a corner as the Tangerines looked to double their advantage. Eager as ever to drive towards the Dundee goal, Murray won his side another corner in the 69th minute after receiving the ball from Dow. Spittal’s kick was headed towards the far corner by Durnan and despite not having much power Etxabeguren’s clearance was necessary to prevent another goal. Ofere was then denied by an alert stop from Bain with quarter of an hour remaining as he poked first time a Kyle Knoyle through ball towards goal from 8 yards. The Tangerines were then left to rue the missed opportunity in 77 minutes as Dundee levelled the game. A Gary Harkins corner was headed towards goal by Gadzhalov and through a crowd of bodies including Hemmings on the goal line managed to squeeze into the corner of the net. Sub Chris Erskine went close after taking Ofere’s flick on and turning inside before firing in a shot which Bain got a touch to on the way over. United then won three corners in the space of a minute. From the second of these Sean Dillon lofted a high ball to the back post which was heading in but for the touch from Bain. With under 10 minutes remaining Kawashima did really well to turn Hemmings's header over the bar before Stewart was booked for a late tackle on Dixon which sparked a melee from which Kawashima also saw yellow. Paton was next to get booked following a tackle on O’Dea with several letting their emotions get the better of them. Right on the 90 minutes Ryan Dow sent a half volley well over as time for a winner was fast running out. Deep into injury time however, and as if United’s fans hadn’t suffered enough this season, Stewart played a free kick low into the box which was steered first time into the bottom corner of the net by Craig Wighton. Relegation to the Championship next term in that moment was sealed. Summing Up – It’s so hard to convey with words how it feels to have seen the Club's 20 season stay in the top flight brought to an end. Although it has been coming for a while, the confirmation was still met with a level of despondency not known of for some time, such has been the success over the last decade in particular. While so much will change over the summer what will be certain is that our one true constant, the fans, will return ready to back their team again when they look to bounce back when the new campaign starts. Through all of this, their loyalty throughout the campaign must be the main motivation from hereon in. Dundee – Bain, McGinn, Gadzhalov, O’Dea, Holt, Ross, McGowan (Etxabeguren 16), Stewart, Harkins, Wighton, Hemmings. Subs not used – Mitchell, Konrad, Meggatt, Arturo, Curran, Colquhoun. United – Kawashima, Dillon, Dixon, Paton, Rankin, Ofere, Knoyle, Murray (Erskine 73), Durnan, Spittal (Mckay 87), Fraser (Dow 62). Subs not used – Zwick, Morris, Anier, Donaldson. Referee – William Collum