Dundee United warmed up nicely for next week’s League Cup semi-final with this ultimately comfortable victory over Motherwell at Tannadice.
The first half was largely one to forget with chances at a premium.
Both sides had a couple of penalty shouts but referee Craig Thomson was not convinced.
The first real opportunity of the game fell to United’s Blair Spittal in the 38th minute when he cut in from the right and hit a fierce shot which diving Motherwell keeper Dan Twardzik did well to save.
Then just before half-time there was a big moment of controversy when Callum Morris cleared the ball off the United goal line.
Initially, though Mr Thomson seemed to give a goal but after consulting with his assistant, opted not to award it, a decision which outraged the Motherwell players and fans.
United looked livelier at the start of the second half and finally made the breakthrough in the 61st minute when Charlie Telfer hit a low shot from 20 yards that flew into the bottom right corner of Twardzik’s net.
Eight minutes later, the Tangerines doubled their advantage when Jarek Fojut headed home an Aidan Connolly corner from the United right.
However, Motherwell gave themselves a lifeline in the 78th minute when a cross from sub Lionel Ainsworth was volleyed home by Simon Ramsden past a helpless Rado Cierzniak in the United goal.
Any chance of a comeback by the Steelmen was finally extinguished in the second minute of stoppage time when Ryan Dow teed up Telfer who hit an angled shot past Twardzik to ensure United took all three points.
See Monday’s Courier for full report, reaction and comment.