Dundee United 2-1 Spartans

Graham (31′)  Fatah (55′)           Stowe (78′)

A goal in each half secured Dundee United’s passage to the Scottish Cup quarter-final, surviving nearly 80 minutes with a man down against Spartans at Tannadice.

Jim Goodwin’s side secured a crucial three points at The Falkirk Stadium on Saturday, but Iurie Iovu’s 12th-minute red card delivered a horror start to their 5th Round tie. The Moldovan took out Bradley Whyte over the halfway line, and Grant Irvine brandished his red card to give the Arabs a mountain to climb.

Despite the setback, the hosts continued to dominate the game. Captain Ross Graham rose to glance Will Ferry’s pinpoint corner past Paddy Martin, a crucial lead for Goodwin’s men.

Amar Fatah doubled United’s lead 10 minutes into the second period. Clever play by Ivan Dolcek saw the Croatian drive past Spartan jerseys and thread an inviting pass into the attacker’s path. Fatah’s emphatic finish looked to have put the game behind their League two opposition.

Spartans forced their way back in the game with 12 minutes remaining. A cross from the right found the Mark Stowe at the back post. The prolific striker added his 19th goal of the season, his heavily deflected strike looped over the stranded Ashley Maynard-Brewer to bring the visitors back into the match.

The favourites would eventually see out proceedings, setting up a quarter-final showdown against Falkirk in a few weeks. Spartans gave a positive account of themselves, but will rue their inability to make the extra man count for almost 80 minutes.

Dundee United: Maynard-Brewer, Strain, Iovu, Sevelj (Stephenson 84′) Graham, Camara, Ferry, Sibbald (Cleall-Harding 63′) Amar Fatah (Stirton 56′) Dolcek (Sapsford 56′) Watters (Farrugia 56′)

Spartans: Martin, Watson, Welsh (Aiken 59′) Tapping (Nair 44′) Dishington (Wylie 81′) McNulty (Stowe 59′) Russell, Sonkur, Waugh, Craigen, Whyte