Scottish Cup

An early goal from Simon Murray was enough to see Dundee past their city rivals despite a nervy ending. In doing so, they earned their first Scottish Cup victory over United in 69 years. Just two minutes into proceedings Murray silenced the visiting fans with a leaping header to meet Finlay Robertson’s cross and put Dundee ahead. Murray was almost in with a double but his curling effort made its way past Jack Walton’s left hand side before Aaron Donnelly’s header effort could only nestle itself on the top of the net. United will rue not converting a glaring opportunity as Ross Graham’s header was fired over the bar to send Jim Goodwin’s side into the break goalless. The manager will no doubt feel aggrieved by the referee’s decion to deny his side a goal as a VAR check confirmed Declan Gallagher had fouled Simon Murray in the build up to Vicko Sevelj’s goal that never was. Dundee were their own worst enemy when not one, but three players failed to master to bounce of the ball for what should have been a point blank finish. Unable to capitalise on the chaos in the box, the Lyall Cameron was denied by teammate Oluwaseun Adewumi near the line. After coming out for the second half with a much needed intensity, Sevelj’s was far less accurate with his next effort, blasting his shot well over the head of Dundee keeper Trevor Carson before Kevin Holt followed suit. Faring no better with his opportunity, Cameron sent the match ball into Row Z as the home side looked to regain control of the tie. The struggle to test the respective keepers continued when Louis Moult’s bullet header lacked the requisite accuracy to make Carson budge. With each passing minute United looked increasingly likely to score next, Holt coming closer than his teammates albeit right into Carson’s body. A few minutes later Tony Docherty had Ethan Ingram to thank for denying substitute Ruari Paton a certain goal before Carson used every sinew of muscle to tip Declan Gallagher’s header over the bar. Having barely exerted himslf in the first half, Carson was called into action once again to deny Will Ferry with a flying save before keeping Sam Dalby out. The homes watched the final minutes through their fingers as Kristijan Trapanovski curled effort rattled the post before Sevelj’s header saw the Northern Irish keeper show why he was declared Man of the Match just moments earlier. Dundee coming into their own With a derby victory to progress to the 5th Round, Dundee have capped off what has been an exceptional few weeks. After taking points off Rangers and Celtic with a St Johstone win to boot, Tony Docherty’s men have shown that they are the real deal. They have certainly suffered at times this season but tonight the players showed a new level of grit and desire to deny wave after wave of United’s attacks. The manager has been keen to stress that his side have been almost threadbare in recent weeks due to injury but astute signings continue to deliver as a home time against Championship Airdrie awaits. Lack of first half impetus leaves United wanting There is no doubt that if the visitors had mirrored their second half performance in the first, this would a very different report. Smacking the post with one effort and denied by the flying bodies of both Carson and Ingram for about three or four is arguably just a case of rotten luck but the travelling support will no doubt rue not putting Dundee under the cosh sooner. If there is one positive to take from this exit, it is that Jim Goodwin is well aware of the problems his side are up against as they turn their focus onto securing third place. Paton’s late cameo and the signing of former Manchester City youngster Lewis Fiorini gives plenty reason to suggest that the defeated side have turned a tactical corner and look to add a vital spark to the side. What the manager’s said Dundee boss Tony Docherty: “Really delighted with the players, I thought that was a fantastic performance. “That was a kick-off we’d actually worked on. Real intelligence from Aaron Donnelly and Fin [Robertson] to work it into that area and the corner against a team that don’t concede a lot of set plays. “I think you can see the development of the team. [We’ve] got a real spine of experience with Trevor, Clark, big Mo and Simon but sprinkled throughout with young talented footballers.” United boss Jim Goodwin: “Obviously we gave it everything as you’d expect from this group of players. Dundee deserve a lot of credit, they defended their box brilliantly all night. “The disappointing thing for us is the way we start the game. You cannot concede in the manner that we do, you can’t give good opposition a goal headstart.   Dundee: Carson (c), Donnelly, Robertson, Astley, Robertson, Garza (Samuels 83), Sylla, Ingram, Adewumi (Palmer-Houlden 66), Murray, Cameron Unused subs: McCracken, Sharp, Tiffoney, Main Booked: Ingram, Cameron, Sylla Dundee United: Walton, Holt, Gallagher (c), Graham (van der Sande 84), Ferry, Sevelj, Adegboyega (Middleton 71), Strain (Trapanovski 71), Stephenson, Moult (Paton 71), Dalby Unused subs: Fotheringham, Richards, Fiorini, Babunski Att: 9,294 Ref: Matthew MacDermid