Dundee United showed once again on Sunday at Tannadice that they will not be relinquishing their hold on the Scottish Cup without a fight.
United created another chance shortly after when Swanson played a short pass to Conway on the edge of the Motherwell box.
The winger in turn played in Buaben as he overlapped down the left but the midfielder’s subsequent shot was comfortably held by Randolph.
His opposite number Pernis was called into action next in the 25th minute when he pulled off an outstanding one-handed save to prevent a Keith Lasley shot from 18 yards flying into the top right corner of his net.
Swanson was the first player to find his way into referee Calum Murray’s book when he was shown a yellow card for a dive.
The same player was the victim of a crude challenge in the 37th minute by Tom Hateley but the referee waved play on as the ball ran through to Goodwillie in the Motherwell box.
As the striker cut inside, he was tackled by Steven Saunders, a challenge which led to vociferous penalty appeals by the United players. Murray them away but booked Hateley at the next break in play.
However, the United fans were on their feet in the 40th minute to acclaim Goodwillie’s wonder goal as he sent a spectacular overhead kick from a Keith Watson cross into the back of the Motherwell net for the equaliser.
The second half took a while to get going with the sides cancelling one another out and the next clear-cut opportunity came just before the hour mark when a Lasley shot from the edge of the United box forced Pernis to produce an acrobatic diving save.
Shortly after, Houston brought on Daly and the striker came close to scoring with his first touch when he headed just past Randolph’s right post from a Barry Douglas corner.
However, it was Motherwell who took the lead in the 72nd minute when Hammell played an incisive one-two with Lasley before hitting a low cross which was stabbed home by Sutton from close range.
That lead lasted barely a minute when Swanson scurried away down the right before sending a deep cross over the Motherwell defence towards Daly lurking unmarked at the far post and the big Irishman gave Randolph no chance with his close-range shot.
In the 83rd minute, United had another penalty shout when Swanson appeared to be blocked just inside the Motherwell area by Stephen Craigan but the referee was not interested.
Fir Park boss Stuart McCall agreed a draw was a fair result and said, “I thought it was a really good cup tie and we came here determined to have a go.
“Obviously, it is disappointing to be ahead twice and be pegged back but we have the replay to look forward to at our own stadium.”
Peter Houston’s tenacious Terrors twice came from behind to secure a quarter-final replay at Fir Park on March 29 thanks to a sublime “Rooney-esque” David Goodwillie overhead kick and a quickfire Jon Daly equaliser.
United really had to dig deep to overcome the loss of a goal in just 49 seconds when John Sutton headed home and to hit back again when the same player netted his double in the second half.
Sunday’s result ensured that there will be eight names going into the hat for today’s Scottish Cup semi-final draw.
United boss Houston was full of praise for his players for their efforts after a hectic spell of fixtures in a short space of time. He said, “I thought we did well to recover after going a goal down in under a minute.
“We created a few chances and then Goodwillie scored a fantastic goal showing great technique. Wayne Rooney took a lot of credit for his goal and I think Goodwillie has to be given similar praise.
“He did the exact same thing the other night against Aberdeen but he hit the post, so he has that in him. We lost the second goal but we did not give them time to settle on their lead and Jon Daly has scored.
“I cannot praise the players highly enough as that was their third game in just six days. I would not have made it an excuse if we had lost the tie but I have to say the players’ fitness levels are fantastic and they are a great bunch of boys to work with.Height”We should have more players back for the replay at Motherwell. Daly and Garry Kenneth should be 100% fit and we will have more height in the team.
“So Motherwell should not think this tie is over and we are capable of winning at what is a difficult venue. The players are just desperate to retain the trophy.”
One of those players, Daly, echoed his manager’s sentiments, saying, “We had success last year and we have a taste for it and I think we showed today that we will not give up the trophy without a fight.
“We are still in the cup and we are capable of going to Fir Park and winning. We are all desperate to get back to Hampden.
“I am also happy to be playing again as I was not supposed to be back from injury for another couple of weeks. I was just glad to be on the park and in the right place at the right time.
“I also had a great view of Goodie’s goal. It is something we have come to expect from him as he does it in training all the time.”
Houston made four changes from the team that beat Hamilton 2-1 last Thursday with Paul Dixon, Prince Buaben, Craig Conway and Danny Swanson replacing Timothy van der Meulen, David Robertson, Andis Shala and Johnny Russell in the starting line-up.
The majority of fans had barely taken their seats when Motherwell made their stunning start. Stevie Hammell curled in a corner from the right and Sutton outjumped Sean Dillon to send a downward header past Dusan Pernis.
Motherwell were presented with another opportunity in the 13th minute when Dillon misjudged a ball out on the touchline and gifted possession to Francis Jeffers.
The former Arsenal and Rangers striker advanced on goal but dragged his shot from 18 yards wide of Pernis’s right-hand post. It was an error at the other end which presented United with their first clear-cut opportunity of the match in the 18th minute.
Steven Saunders’ attempted headed clearance fell straight to Goodwillie. The striker manufactured space for himself and hit a shot that Darren Randolph saved well.
Peter Houston’s tenacious Terrors twice came from behind to secure a quarter-final replay at Fir Park on March 29 thanks to a sublime “Rooney-esque” David Goodwillie overhead kick and a quickfire Jon Daly equaliser.
United really had to dig deep to overcome the loss of a goal in just 49 seconds when John Sutton headed home and to hit back again when the same player netted his double in the second half.
Sunday’s result ensured that there will be eight names going into the hat for today’s Scottish Cup semi-final draw.
United boss Houston was full of praise for his players for their efforts after a hectic spell of fixtures in a short space of time. He said, “I thought we did well to recover after going a goal down in under a minute.
“We created a few chances and then Goodwillie scored a fantastic goal showing great technique. Wayne Rooney took a lot of credit for his goal and I think Goodwillie has to be given similar praise.
“He did the exact same thing the other night against Aberdeen but he hit the post, so he has that in him. We lost the second goal but we did not give them time to settle on their lead and Jon Daly has scored.
“I cannot praise the players highly enough as that was their third game in just six days. I would not have made it an excuse if we had lost the tie but I have to say the players’ fitness levels are fantastic and they are a great bunch of boys to work with.Height”We should have more players back for the replay at Motherwell. Daly and Garry Kenneth should be 100% fit and we will have more height in the team.
“So Motherwell should not think this tie is over and we are capable of winning at what is a difficult venue. The players are just desperate to retain the trophy.”
One of those players, Daly, echoed his manager’s sentiments, saying, “We had success last year and we have a taste for it and I think we showed today that we will not give up the trophy without a fight.
“We are still in the cup and we are capable of going to Fir Park and winning. We are all desperate to get back to Hampden.
“I am also happy to be playing again as I was not supposed to be back from injury for another couple of weeks. I was just glad to be on the park and in the right place at the right time.
“I also had a great view of Goodie’s goal. It is something we have come to expect from him as he does it in training all the time.”
Houston made four changes from the team that beat Hamilton 2-1 last Thursday with Paul Dixon, Prince Buaben, Craig Conway and Danny Swanson replacing Timothy van der Meulen, David Robertson, Andis Shala and Johnny Russell in the starting line-up.
The majority of fans had barely taken their seats when Motherwell made their stunning start. Stevie Hammell curled in a corner from the right and Sutton outjumped Sean Dillon to send a downward header past Dusan Pernis.
Motherwell were presented with another opportunity in the 13th minute when Dillon misjudged a ball out on the touchline and gifted possession to Francis Jeffers.
The former Arsenal and Rangers striker advanced on goal but dragged his shot from 18 yards wide of Pernis’s right-hand post. It was an error at the other end which presented United with their first clear-cut opportunity of the match in the 18th minute.
Steven Saunders’ attempted headed clearance fell straight to Goodwillie. The striker manufactured space for himself and hit a shot that Darren Randolph saved well.
Peter Houston’s tenacious Terrors twice came from behind to secure a quarter-final replay at Fir Park on March 29 thanks to a sublime “Rooney-esque” David Goodwillie overhead kick and a quickfire Jon Daly equaliser.
United really had to dig deep to overcome the loss of a goal in just 49 seconds when John Sutton headed home and to hit back again when the same player netted his double in the second half.
Sunday’s result ensured that there will be eight names going into the hat for today’s Scottish Cup semi-final draw.
United boss Houston was full of praise for his players for their efforts after a hectic spell of fixtures in a short space of time. He said, “I thought we did well to recover after going a goal down in under a minute.
“We created a few chances and then Goodwillie scored a fantastic goal showing great technique. Wayne Rooney took a lot of credit for his goal and I think Goodwillie has to be given similar praise.
“He did the exact same thing the other night against Aberdeen but he hit the post, so he has that in him. We lost the second goal but we did not give them time to settle on their lead and Jon Daly has scored.
“I cannot praise the players highly enough as that was their third game in just six days. I would not have made it an excuse if we had lost the tie but I have to say the players’ fitness levels are fantastic and they are a great bunch of boys to work with.Height”We should have more players back for the replay at Motherwell. Daly and Garry Kenneth should be 100% fit and we will have more height in the team.
“So Motherwell should not think this tie is over and we are capable of winning at what is a difficult venue. The players are just desperate to retain the trophy.”
One of those players, Daly, echoed his manager’s sentiments, saying, “We had success last year and we have a taste for it and I think we showed today that we will not give up the trophy without a fight.
“We are still in the cup and we are capable of going to Fir Park and winning. We are all desperate to get back to Hampden.
“I am also happy to be playing again as I was not supposed to be back from injury for another couple of weeks. I was just glad to be on the park and in the right place at the right time.
“I also had a great view of Goodie’s goal. It is something we have come to expect from him as he does it in training all the time.”
Houston made four changes from the team that beat Hamilton 2-1 last Thursday with Paul Dixon, Prince Buaben, Craig Conway and Danny Swanson replacing Timothy van der Meulen, David Robertson, Andis Shala and Johnny Russell in the starting line-up.
The majority of fans had barely taken their seats when Motherwell made their stunning start. Stevie Hammell curled in a corner from the right and Sutton outjumped Sean Dillon to send a downward header past Dusan Pernis.
Motherwell were presented with another opportunity in the 13th minute when Dillon misjudged a ball out on the touchline and gifted possession to Francis Jeffers.
The former Arsenal and Rangers striker advanced on goal but dragged his shot from 18 yards wide of Pernis’s right-hand post. It was an error at the other end which presented United with their first clear-cut opportunity of the match in the 18th minute.
Steven Saunders’ attempted headed clearance fell straight to Goodwillie. The striker manufactured space for himself and hit a shot that Darren Randolph saved well.