Dundee 2
Dundee United 1 (AET)
League Cup (Quarter Final)

Match Report

After an all-time classic in front of a near 20,000 crowd at Dens Park last night, Dundee deservedly, in the end, won through to the semi-finals of the Skol Cup and will join Aberdeen, Motherwell and Rangers in the hat in today's draw.

It was yet again the deadly duo of Tommy Coyne and Keith Wright who rescued Dundee, after they had been on the receiving end for a long time.

However they gradually worked their way back into the game, then took it over. lain Ferguson put United ahead early and things stayed that way well into the second half.

But in a game which had to end last night, even if it took a penalty shoot out, Dundee built up their momentum and surged forward after the break, first to force extra time thanks to Coyne, then to take the honours when Wright hammered home the final nail.

If the game had been decided over 60 minutes it would rightly have been United's night, but even with their defence playing more like itself than it has done this season they couldn't hold that tremendous Dundee surge.

Kevin Gallacher got the Man of the Match award - it had to be voted on with a period of ordinary time still to play - but there's little doubt it was Coyne and Wright who finally stole the show.

Great stuff for an hour from United, with Redford working well in midfield, Bannon blunting the McKinlay menace on the left, and Gallacher and Ferguson striving for goals.

But as Dundee roared their I way back into the game they were prodded on by Shannon and McKinlay, with Jim Duffy marshalling things perfectly at the back.

Dundee's great start to the season has obviously been noted further afield than Scotland. Among a clutch of managers watching from the directors' box was Coventry City manager John Sillett.

United were first into gear, Ferguson worrying Geddes with an overhead cross which was palmed out just beyond Sturrock's reach, then some magic up the left between Narey. Redford and Sturrock left McPhee clear to blast a great shot, which spiralled off for a corner.

It was a warning for Dundee and real trouble arrived in the sixth minute after a break up the right.

Gallacher left Duffy trailing to cross perfectly to the far post. The inrushing and unmarked lain Ferguson sent a header crashing past Geddes.

Hectic stuff, and a great start for United, who nearly made it even better in 13 minutes. With Dundee's defence appealing for offside, Gallacher streaked away again, and his perfect cross was sent crashing against the far post by Redford.

United were buzzing, and Dundee's only relief in the opening stages came when Hegarty fouled Coyne and McKinlay took the free kick 22 yards out, on the left of the box. Wright rose before the ball arrived and was on his way down when it was cleared.

It was a Holt cross from the right which caused the next kerfuffle around Geddes though. Redford went crashing to the ground as he raced in for the ball and despite passionate United appeals for a penalty it was refused by referee Cumming

The 14 goal duo of Tommy Coyne and Keith Wright combined for Coyne to send in Dundee's first direct shot in 24 minutes, but it was weak and well wide of the target.

McKinlay very nearly did better a minute later, though. when he burst through and his shot was deflected for a corner. When the kick was taken the ball was worked back to him and this time he fired accurately, but straight at Thomson.

It was Dundee's turn to claim a penalty in 29 minutes, when Coyne was sent crashing by a Narey tackle. Again the ref said 'no.

Gallacher got a severe talking to for a second foul on Glennie. The resultant Glennie free kick was cleared by Narey and a United break started with Ferguson sending a looping pass deep down the right.

Gallacher got to it and another perfect cross was hammered in by Sturrock, only for Geddes to bring off a marvellous one handed save.

Five minutes from the interval Gallacher twice got into the action up the middle. First, he should have done better than hurry his shot from a Ferguson cross and send the ball past the post. He had time to chest it down.

Then he was just beaten to a Ferguson cross by Smith.

United looked to be in command again when Redford sent a great header just past from a Bannon cross, but that Dundee were anything but out of it was proved when McKinlay and Coyne bundled in on an Angus cross and just failed to force the ball in.

United started the second half as if they were determined to finish off the contest in double quick time.

Bannon and Holt flashed down the left for Holt to send in a powerful cross. Ferguson met the ball at the near post but sent his shot rocketing over the bar. Then Redford was through, but stumbled inside the box.

The action was white hot, with first Gallacher then Smith being hammered in tackles.

Sturrock was turning it on after a fairly quiet first half.

Three times he forced corners, twice he was hammered to the ground in tackles.

It was almost all United in the territorial sense, but with only one goal in it there was no room for the complacency they showed briefly to allow Coyne through.

Luckily for them, he I couldn't get his shot in.

Midway through the half Dundee threw caution to the wind and charged forward.

Shannon shot past when through, then Coyne had an overhead kick which Thomson anxiously watched as it crept outside his left hand post.

United were under real pressure for the first time, and Gallacher was booked when he fouled Forsyth as the right back was about to set off on a run.

As soon as the referee finished that chore he was busy ushering Irvine on in place of Sturrock.

It was fast, it was hectic, but, significantly, neither keeper had been called on to make a save of real quality.

Irvine's first real impact on the game was very nearly decisive. For a big man his touch was delicate as he curled the ball round the Dundee defence to the fast moving Gallacher, who shot straight at the keeper.

The Dundee pressure was mounting though, and Thomson first brilliantly saved a Coyne shot, then an effort from Wright.

But he had no chance what ever with Coyne's 85th minute effort. The cross came from McKinlay, and as it landed via a defensive deflection, the striker slid in to get his tenth goal of the season.

The night sky was split asun der with the roar that followed, and as the dust settled Harvey went on for Mennie, and United manager Jim McLean left the directors' box for the trackside bench.

Dundee had thrown everything in, and it had paid off.

Legs were obviously heavy after the hectic 90 minutes, and there was a distinct drop in pace at the start of extra time.

Dundee almost made the breakthrough when Coyne flashed a low shot in from 20 yards which was well held by Thomson but the next time Dundee struck, they struck decisively.

Harvey took the ball through from midfield, then Coyne slipped the ball behind the United defence, and Wright was on to it too quickly for any reaction from United.

His shot powered way past Thomson to put Dundee ahead for the first time and, at this point, deservedly so.

The deadly duo were certainly living up to their reputation.

Bowman went on for McPhee as United desperately tried to salvage a game which, until deep into the second half, they seemed to have won.

McKinlay had gone to orthodox left back for the first time with Duffy tucked in behind the back four.

As the tension mounted and United threw everything into attack, Ferguson had his name taken for talking out of turn.

When Coyne took cramp after a tackle, Ross Jack went on.

There was five minutes to go.

Then, with the exultant Dundee fans on their feet applauding their heroes, Shannon flat on his back with cramp, and the entire Dundee bench leaping in the air with joy, it was all over.

Match report written by The Courier