Dundee United edged through against part-time Peterhead in the IRN-BRU Challenge Cup at Tannadice in a five-goal thriller.
On balance of play and chances created, the Tangerines deserved their victory but Jim McInally’s League 1 strugglers deserve enormous credit for the way they battled throughout.
The big team news from a United perspective was that all three recent signings, Frank van der Struijk, William Edjenguele and Tony Andreu, were handed their debuts in the starting line-up while there was a welcome return from injury for Paul Dixon.
However, first-choice keeper Cammy Bell was absent from the squad with Luis Zwick taking his place between the sticks.
United made a dream start, opening the scoring with just 59 seconds on the clock with Charlie Telfer hitting a tremendous strike from 30 yards that gave Peterhead keeper Fraser Hobday no chance.
Having secured that early lead, United proceeded to dominate possession, playing some neat, attractive football.
Peterhead had rarely threatened but United were stunned in the 29th minute when Rory McAllister – who United tried to sign earlier this summer – hit a low, angled drive from 12 yards past Zwick and into the back of the net.
The Tangerines’ lead was restored just five minutes later, when Nick van der Velden cut in from the left and fired a decisive drive past the helpless Hobday.
However, just seconds later, the Blue Toon drew level again. Former Dundee favourite Leighton McIntosh galloped down the right flank before sending a pinpoint cross into the United box with that man McAllister bulleting a header past Zwick to make it 2-2.
United were on the front foot once again at the start of the second 45 and had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 57th minute when Lewis Toshney delivered a cross from the right with Edjenguele producing a powerful header that Hobday had to superbly save diving to his left.
McAllister looked certain to secure his hat-trick in the 68th minute but Toshney made a vital last-ditch block to keep the ball out of the net.
Shortly after, United looked to have made it three when sub Simon Murray sent a blistering strike goalward but the ball cannoned off the underside of the bar with Hobday well beaten.
Murray then hit the bar again, this time with a header from a Blair Spittal cross but the striker really should have scored.
The same piece of woodwork was hit for a third time in the 88th minute when Dixon sent a cross in from the left with the ball bouncing off the top of the bar.
However, the deadlock could not be broken and the game headed for two periods of extra-time.
Neither side could find a way to goal in the first 15 minutes. However, United finally netted what proved to be the winning goal in the 26th minute of extra time when Spittal crossed from the right with Andreu lurking to nod the ball home.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
