Match Report

Wednesday, 26th October, 2011

by Ian Roache

Dundee United 2 Falkirk 2 (4-5 on penalties): Tangerines' troubles continue with disappointing cup exit

Dundee United crashed out of the Scottish Communities League Cup at Tannadice, throwing away an extra-time lead to eventually lose to Falkirk on penalties.

The quarter-final clash had finished 2-2 after extra time, with sub Ally Graham equalising for the visitors with just three minutes of added-on time remaining.

Captain Jon Daly had looked to have sealed it for the Tangerines six minutes into extra time after substitute Johnny Russell had quickly equalised Farid El Alagui's 70th-minute opener for the Bairns.

However, Graham found the net in dramatic style to take it to a shootout.

United went first and Russell scored, as did Dale Fulton. Daly went next and he and El Alagui both hit the target.

The home team blinked first when Willo Flood fired over.

David Weatherston made sure for Falkirk, Barry Douglas netted for the hosts then Higginbotham made it 4-3.

Gavin Gunning kept United in it but the stage was left clear for young Stewart Murdoch to blast the ball home to send Steven Pressley's men through 5-4.

United created the first opportunity of the match on 11 minutes, Flood swinging in a corner that was met by Gunning.

The Irishman nodded it to the back post, where Scott Robertson just failed to head home.

Bairns striker El Alagui tested United goalie Dusan Pernis with a header from 10 yards, before the Tangerines went even closer on 23 minutes.

Paul Dixon set off on a great run down the left wing, cut inside then chipped the ball to Lauri Dalla Valle, whose back-header was tipped over by Michael McGovern.

The Finnish frontman was involved again on the half-hour, almost diverting a Flood shot inside the post, then Daly rattled the woodwork with a shot from 12 yards.

Dixon was frightening Falkirk with his pace and, on 33 minutes, he went on a run before cutting back to Robertson, whose strike was saved.

Robertson saw another netbound effort deflected away then Daly glanced a header wide as the one-way traffic continued.

The hosts should have been well ahead given their dominance, but the sides were level going into the second period.

Dalla Valle had a header saved before going off to be replaced by Russell on 56 minutes.

Falkirk were starting to believe in themselves and, remarkably, it was they who broke the deadlock on 70 minutes.

Fulton, who had just come on, fired in a cross from the left and El Alagui headed into the net.

United were stunned but they hit back just three minutes later as the tie exploded into life.

Russell was the hero, nicking the ball off Robertson before blasting his low shot into the far corner of the net.

With 10 minutes to go Russell headed just wide, while with a minute of the 90 left Weatherston's header just missed for Falkirk.

Extra time it was, and Douglas pulled his shot wide just two minutes after the restart before the injured Robertson had to go off to be replaced by Stuart Armstrong.

On 96 minutes, the Tangerines got their noses in front.

A neat reverse pass by Russell found Daly inside the box and the captain finished coolly.

Daly then had the home fans on their feet again, cracking a shot off the bar from 30 yards.

It was Russell's turn to try his luck from long range before the end of the first extra period.

With just five minutes of the second extra spell to go, El Alagui shot straight at Pernis from right in front of goal.

But with just three minutes remaining the Bairns levelled in dramatic fashion.

Russell opted to try to play out time the corner when in a good position for United, but possession was lost. Although the ball seemed to have crossed the line for a goal-kick, Falkirk played on and raced upfield where Graham, who had just come on for Jay Fulton, ran through to clip the ball over Pernis.

The drama wasn't over, though, and Gunning almost snatched victory for United with a low shot that was brilliantly saved by McGovern.

Attendance - 4,188.