Same again for United over Dundee

Dundee United repeated their 3-0 victory from earlier in the season against local rivals Dundee at Dens Park.

Whereas on that occasion all three goals came in the opening half, this was a more balanced affair with a disputed Jon Daly penalty and a deflected Willo Flood effort later adding to a 17th minute Keith Watson header.

The Dark Blues had been showing better form of late and Nicky Riley sent an early header onto the roof of the net while Stuart Armstrong saw a 20-yard drive deflected behind at the other end.

But the visitors were to forge ahead from the resultant corner as Barry Douglas delivered and Watson's diving header had sufficient power to beat the assembled defenders on the line.

Goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak then saved a John Baird header but a raised offside flag who have ruled out any equaliser - which could well have arrived when Steve Milne volleyed over after Jim McAlister helped on Matt Lockwood's inviting cross.

United replied with Watson calling Rab Douglas into action from distance and Johnny Russell nodding wide, while Armstrong's low shot at the start of the second-half was also claimed by the veteran keeper.

There were next shouts for a home penalty when John Baird's cross appeared to catch Brian McLean on the arm - but referee Willie Collum was having none of it.

Tangerines striker Russell soon fired against an upright in reply following a misplaced clearance while Dundee's response had Iain Davidson drilling off-target and Cierzniak keeping out a Lockwood free-kick.

However, the visitors were awarded a penalty with nineteen minutes remaining when Gary Irvine was penalised for a challenge on Armstrong just as keeper Douglas gathered a shot from Daly, who duly stepped up to convert from the spot.

There was also an element of good fortune about their third goal just before the end as Flood's deflected shot was turned onto the post by Douglas until coming back off the keeper and into the net.

Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, Benedictus, Gallagher, Davidson, Riley, McBride, Baird, Milne, McAlister

subs (unused): Baird, McGregor, Toshney, Conroy, Boyle, Reid, Buchan

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson. McLean, Gunning, Douglas, Flood, Rankin, Armstrong, Skacel, Russell (Gardyne 90), Daly

subs (unused): Banks, Barrett, Ryan, Millar, Dow, Lacny

Goals: Watson (17), Daly (pen 71), Flood (88)

Ref: W. Collum

Att: 11,419

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