Dundee United host in-form Ayr United to Tannadice in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round as Jim Goodwin’s side aim to avoid any upset.

A frustrating opening period with no chances at all with both sides showing struggles of keeping the ball, losing possession on many occasions.

Dowds had a fantastic chance after 8 minutes, a strike from distance but Richards with a brilliant diving save to deny the Ayr striker an opener.

The hosts had a chance of their own, a corner in from Fatah which was punched away by Russell in goals but only as far as Will Ferry who volleyed it from just inside the box but fired just high of goal.

Sapsford a minute on had a chance from distance but well stopped by the Ayr shot-stopper.

Ayr had a great chance after 18 minutes. A brilliant ball by Finney into Holt where the former Dundee United man whipped the ball across goal but couldn’t find anyone lurking to tap it in.

A horrible mistake at the back by Ayr allowed Fatah to have a run at goal but outstanding play by Holt to get back and prevent any danger.

Ayr with a wasted chance, an outstanding ball by Dempsey who fed the ball into Jamie Murphy who should’ve unleashed his strike earlier but took far to long and was too late as the hosts were back in position to deny Ayr firing ahead.

Stephenson with an unreal attempt from range after 37 minutes but his strike fired just inches wide of goal to ensure the game remains goalless.

Into the second 45, substitute Trapanovski had a chance of his own doing what he does best, cutting onto his right and unleashing which was a weak effort which didn’t really test Russell in the Ayr’s goal.

Unreal work by Trapanosvki again causing mayhem on the left-hand side, twisting and turning but still can’t get his side in front but some excellent work by the North Macedonian international.

Youngster, Cleall-Harding took on a strike from the edge of the box but was well palmed away to avoid the hosts firing in front.

Great play by Rus for Ayr, an error by youngster Cleall-Harding as he passed it straight to the Ayr forward with a darting run with his strike flashing wide of goal.

Poor play in the middle by Dempsey, losing the ball which fell to Sibbald who put it into the path of Fatah with his strike being well tapped away by Russell.

Mark McKenzie with a darting run who fed the ball into Dowds but the attacker just couldn’t control it as the ball went out for a goal kick.

A flurry of chances for the hosts, firstly an attempt from close range easily tipped away by the Ayr keeper which was whipped back into the box with Moller getting his head to it but the strike goes just wide of goal.

Strain with a ball into the box after bodying off Rus which then found Moller in the centre of the box which found the back of the net to give the substitute his first goal for Dundee United.

A darting run by Trapanovski once again, he squared it to the substitute Camara who calmly struck it into the back of the net to put the nail in the coffin for Ayr.

Not the best of watches but Jim Goodwin won’t care as his side are into the next round in which wasn’t the most entertaining of games but it’s the hosts who progress as Ayr are out.

Dundee United: Richards (6), Ferry (6), Keresztes (6), Graham (6), Cleall-Harding (7), Stephenson (7), Naamo (6), Sibbald (6), Fatah (7), Sapsford (6), Watters (6).

Substitutes: Trapanovski (7), Strain (6), Stirton (5), Camara (8), Moller (8).

Ayr United: Russell (7), Holt (6), Bannigan (7), Dowds (6), Dempsey (7), Murphy (6), King (6), McKenzie (6), Rus (7), McMann (6), Finney (7).

Substitutes: Bonnar (6), Main (6), Summers (6), Thomas (6).