DUFC

McINTYRE HEADS LAST-MINUTE WINNER

19th January 2002

A last-minute goal from Jim McIntyre broke the deadlock in this match and gave United the win they so desperately desired and, in doing so, lifted themselves above Dundee in the SPL table giving themselves a chance to still make that top six slot.

It was almost like being stuck in a time loop when once again United struck in the last minute at Tannadice and against Dundee. In the opening match of the campaign, a last-minute headed goal from Hamilton had given the Tangerines an equaliser against our city rivals. This time the goal netted three points much to the delight of the home support who had taken up their entire allocation of tickets outnumbering the visiting support by two to one with over 8,000 United fans in a crowd of 12,851.

United Manager Alex Smith sprung a surprise by including Mark Wilson in his starting line-up, settling into a defensive midfield role. Jamie Fullarton lined up at left back.

This was not a vintage match but it was an engrossing and hard fought win with United just deserving their victory. Jim Hamilton almost opened the scoring midway through the second half when he found himself clean through on Speroni in the Dundee goal following a McCunnie through pass but the Arabs' leading scorer hit the post and appeared to pull up with an injury. A minute later a looping Dundee ball from Carranza hit the top of the United bar and dropped to safety. United had the best of the chances with Jamie Fullarton taking the Sponsor's Man of the Match Award in his new left back role.

United moved up the league table to 8th position to close within four points of sixth-placed Kilmarnock.

UNITED: Gallacher, Wright, Lauchlan, Easton, Miller, Lilley (Thompson), Fullarton, McCunnie, Hamilton (Winters), McIntyre (Hannah), Wilson.