Second half goals from Simon Murray and Paul Dixon gave Dundee United a superb victory at Falkirk to send them into next week’s Premiership play-off final.
On a memorable night the Tangerines came from a goal down to claim a their dominant display deserved.
United made two changes from Tuesday’s 2-2 first leg with Sean Dillon coming in at right back for the injured Stewart Murdoch and Paul Dixon taking over from teenager Jamie Robson on the left of the defence.
The Tangerines were first to show and a sweeping move from them ended with Tony Andreu firing a shot wide from the edge of the home penalty area.
In the 11th minute Falkirk took the lead via a first-time effort from James Craigen that rocketed into the back of the net off Cammy Bell’s right post. United were unlucky to be behind, but they were up against it now.
They had a chance to draw level when Thomas Mikkelsen set up Andreu for a shot, but once again he failed to hit the target. Next Blair Spittal curled in a free kick from the right and Robbie Thomson in the home goal was forced to punch clear.
United then missed a clear chance to level when Paul Dixon crossed from the left and Mikkelsen headed over the bar from eight yards out. They were soon back on the attack, but when Andreu cross for Murray, he failed to connect properly and another chance was gone.
The Tangerines were soon on the attack in the second half, but when Dillon crossed from the right Mikkelsen’s header went high over the bar. In 50 minutes William Edjenguele looked to have equalised but ref. Kevin Clancy chalked the effort off for a fould by Mikkelsen just a split second earlier.
United were pinning the Bairns back and in quick succession Andreu and Murray both went close.
When Falkirk broke it was almost two. Luke Leahy crossed and Craigen was just wide with a neat first-time shot.
In 76 minutes United were deservedly level when Murray stole the ball off Aaron Muirhead before beating Thomson with a low shot that sent the fans behind that goal wild with delight.
With just three minutes left there were unbelievable scenes as Paul Dixon netted a dramatic United winner with a deflected header.
It was no less than United deserved for a fantastic performance.
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