DUFC

UNITED LOSE DESPITE COMEBACK

23rd November 2002

United lost this afternoon's city derby by the odd goal in five, fighting back from a three goal deficit and almost snatching an equaliser late in the match. The defeat coupled with Partick Thistle's home win over Aberdeen meant that the Tangerine's slipped to second bottom of the Bank of Scotland premierleague.

In front of a large Arab support, Team Manager Paul Hegarty brought back Steven Thompson to the attack in place of last week's two goal hero Jim Hamilton. Charlie Miller was in the starting eleven despite being replaced in the first half against Motherwell with a strain. Jim Lauchlan continued in defence.

UNITED: GALLACHER, LAUCHLAN, WILSON, MCCRACKEN, MCCUNNIE, EASTON, MILLER, MCINTYRE, PATERSON, LILLEY, THOMPSON SUBS: COMBE, SMART, O'DONNELL, DUFF, HAMILTON.

DUNDEE: SPERONI, MACKAY, WILKIE, HUTCHISON, HERNANDEZ, RAE, NEMSADZE, SMITH, NOVO, LOVELL, CABALLERO SUBS:LANGFIELD, BRADY, KHIZANISHVILI, SARA, MILNE,

United lost an early goal in the eleventh minute when Novo crossed and Caballero headed the home side into the lead. Despite having a reasonable amount of possession, the Tangerine defence looked under pressure whenever the Dens Park side moved forward and it came as no real surprise when Caballero netted his and Dundee's second.

Paul Hegarty made some changes shortly after falling further behind and Jamie McCunnie was replaced by Jim Hamilton with Jim Paterson dropping back.

HALF TIME: DUNDEE 2 UNITED 0

The interval made little difference to the flow of the match and Hernandez put the Dark Blues three ahead. United then began to put pressure on their opponents when Jim Hamilton took advantage of a Jim Lauchlan knock down half way through the second period and fired home his third goal in two matches reducing the deficit back to two goals.

Hegarty then replaced Lilley with Smart and it was the substitute who set up Jim McIntyre to fire home United's second with seven minutes remaining. Jim Hamilton could have equalised had he scored from eight metres with minutes remaining but he headed straight at Speroni and Dundee took all three points.

FULL TIME: DUNDEE 3 UNITED 2

Attendance: 11,539

For a detailed match report, click onto the RESULTS section on the home page.