Single goal enough for United

Johnny Russell's solitary strike was enough to take Dundee United into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup after a narrow 1-0 victory at Second Division leaders Queen of the South.

The only goal arrived just before the half-hour when Russell converted Michael Gardyne's cross at the second attempt. It was the first scored in four games by the visitors and marked their first win in five games.

The Dumfries side had entered the contest unbeaten and with already significant cup victories against Rangers and Hibernian this season.

Few opportunites were created during the early stages with Brian McLean failing to seriously trouble Lee Robinson in the home goal.

Willie Gibson was then denied by a timely Gavin Gunning clearance until the recalled Jon Daly dummied Gardyne's delivery from the left and Russell netted at the second attempt.

Skipper Daly nearly doubled that advantage when sweeping narrowly wide and visiting keeper Radoslav Cierzniak turned over a Nicky Clark header at the other end.

The Polish shot-stopper later repeated the act from the same player and Paul Burns also headed over before goalscorer Russell was only denied by a goal-line clearance after going round the keeper.

Queen of the South: Robinson, Mitchell, Durnan, Higgins, Holt, Young, Gibson, McKenna (Burns 46), Clark, Reilly (Lyle 82), Carmichael

subs (unused): Atkinson, McGuffie, Orsi

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, McLean, Gunning, Watson, Flood (Millar 78), Rankin, Ryan (Armstrong 66), Russell, Daly, Gardyne

subs (unused): Banks, Vignal, Dow

Goals: Russell (28)

Ref: Norris

Att: 2,374

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