Blue Murder!

My worst fears were realised today when referee Alan Black went on a yellow card vendetta against his home town team. This would have been bad enough, but he allowed the visitors to get away with persistent leg-break tackles and it was a miracle no-one had serious damage inflicted on them. United as expected, fielded their strongest starting 11, but winger Murray still looked short of his best form. I and my colleagues have preached time and time again about our defence's lack of discipline, in allowing teams to get crosses in. Today we were undone by such a move when Denver of all people allowed Peter Thompson enough space to get his cross in and Linfield's McAllister stole in at the near post to open the scoring. That goal came after 20 minutes and United to their credit didn't allow their heads to drop and were rewarded with a penalty for deliberate hand-ball 5 minutes later.

My heart was in my mouth I can tell you as we have missed our previous three penalties, but up stepped Gibbo to blast the ball into the right-hand corner with Blaney diving the other way. Having got back on level terms tragedy struck for the Sky Blues in the 30th minute, after the visitors were awarded a doubtful free kick for what looked like a good tackle from Sparky. To make matters worse Sparky was cautioned and when the free came in, Dwayne came for it but only succeeded in punching the ball into his own net. The United heads did drop at this point and it looked like the visitors would add to their tally. But the United defence, ably marshalled by Albert, dug in and thwarted the visitors attack. The linesman at the Fisherwick end missed 3 blatant offsides, but luckily for the home side they came to nothing. Halftime was reached with the visitors 2-1 ahead and it was obvious United were in need of fresh ideas.

2nd Half
Murray didn't appear for the 2nd period and he was replaced by Andy Smith and we switched to a 4,3,3 formation. Denver, my man of the match last week was struggling against Thompson who was allowed to get away with elbowing the United man throughout the game. When Denver appealed to referee Black, after a blatant push by the Linfield player (a fruitless exercise at the best of times), he promptly got himself booked. Ten minutes into the half Denver was withdrawn, which meant Captain Gazza dropping back into defence and Denver's replacement, Gavin Taggart, slotting into midfield. Albert, a real colossus in our defence, missed a tackle on McAllister and he fed Thompson, who in turn coolly chipped the ball over Nelson to make the score 3-1 to Linfield. United to their credit upped their game and the linesman, who remember had missed 3 blatant offsides in the first half, somehow adjudged Cutch offside, when he had been behind the original play. Picture the scene, a corner to United on their left, the ball comes to the far post, is headed back across goal and Cutch comes in to head it into the net, but is flagged offside, a real injustice.

In a break by the visitors McAllister looked certain to put the game beyond United, when Albert came up with a perfectly timed tackle just as he had against Portadown two weeks earlier. He not only got his tackle in, he also brought the ball out of defence and set his side on the attack. The game was balanced on a knife edge and Linfield were doing their best to kill it off. But United were not to be denied and despite the linesman flagging them 3 more times (all of them correctly), they deservedly reduced the arrears after 68 minutes. Mikey Smith was the provider, who after a throw-in, clipped a pass to Sparky and he headed past the flat-footed Blaney, to reduce the leeway to 3-2. In the next 5 minutes we spurned 2 glorious chances to level the scores. Firstly, Archie sprinted down the left wing like a Greyhound, before whipping a pass to the far post and with the goal gaping, Gibbo of all people headed wide. A minute later the ball fell to Cutch near the penalty spot, but he blasted his shot wide.

United deservedly levelled the scores in the 78th minute, when after Sparky had a shot blocked, a Linfield defender's attempted clearance, ricocheted off Sparky before looping over Blaney's head and into the net. Alan Black was still dishing out yellow cards and actually cautioned a Linfield player, while United's Nathan Hanly, was lucky to get away after a heavy if not vicious tackle as the game neared stoppage time. United's man on the touchline Wesley Gregg, while our manager serves a 3 game ban, took Hanly off at this point and brought on Lee Colligan for his 90th appearance in a Sky Blue shirt. During the 3 minutes of added time, referee Black did his best for the Linfield cause, awarding them another dubious free kick. Then after a rare United attack broke up, Linfield player Mulgrew took exception to Gavin Taggart's attempt to delay the free being taken and was clearly seen to punch the United man in the 'nether regions'.

Referee Black was left with little choice but to red card the Linfield player for this despicable act and it will be interesting to see how the I.F.A. disciplinary committee view this incident of violent conduct. United survived a last ditch assault and as Andy Smith broke away he was unceremoniously hauled down at the halfway line. Referee Black not only merely cautioned the Linfield culprit for this 'professional foul', he also blew up before United could take the free kick. When the whistle sounded I had mixed emotions, relief that we had hauled back the deficit, but disappointment that we hadn't taken all 3 points, when we clearly had the chances. Still it was nice to disappoint the travelling Linfield support, whose numbers were sadly depleted with only about 1400 of them making the trip to God's country. Now all I have to do is get my voice back for next Saturday, so bring on that Molly Malone!

Nelson (6), Sparky (8), Albert (8), Denver (6)(Sub: Taggart 7), Archie (8), Mikey (7), Nathan (7)(Sub: Lee 6), Gazza (8), Murray (6)(Sub: Andy 7), Gibbo (8), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Sparky

'ard Luck!

Ards came to the Showgrounds today and put up a good fight against United, before losing 3-1. Manager Walker made three changes to his starting line-up from last week, leaving out Murray, Sparky and Archie and bringing in Andy Smith, Mo and Colligan. United took a bit of time to get into their stride and when they did begin to threaten, the Ards defence, superbly marshalled by ex-United player Darren Lockhart, were defending resolutely. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when a Hanly corner crept into the net. To me this looked like a direct score from the corner and obviously Showgrounds announcer Davy King didn't know either as he didn't say who had scored. We, the United fans, didn't really care, we were just glad to see a goal for our team and hoped it would be the beginning of the end for the plucky Ards team. We later found out it was an own goal by Ards defender Spence, but as I said it didn't matter.

Five minutes later we were presented with a chance to double our lead after a handball by another visiting defender. United had missed their two previous penalties, both awarded in the same game (v Newry), but I felt sure that this had been sorted out. Imagine my dismay when the ball was placed by top scorer Cutch, who had missed his previous kick. As he stepped up to hit it, former United keeper Aaron Kerr dived to his right, but Cutch blasted the ball wide of the goal at the other side, his right. Never mind the penalty miss I was a little concerned as my car was parked in Summerfield Street, but luckily the ball just stayed within the confines of the Showgrounds. United paid dearly for their benevolence 4 minutes later, when the visitors levelled the scores with a brisk shot from Sam Devine which gave Nelson no chance.

The United system with Andy Smith in left midfield, just wasn't working fluently and despite lots of possession they couldn't find that vital touch in front of goal. Mo on the right wing, wasn't working either and he blasted over when released by Cutch, a bad miss. Gibbo was having one of those days when nothing would go right for him and when he did find some space Lockhart was quick to get his tackles in. United were missing the guile of Murray, always available down the left wing and the subtle play of Mike Smith, when playing wide right, instead of his conventional rightback position today. It was obvious changes were going to have to be made with halftime approaching and I for one could hardly wait. The one man who wouldn't be changed at halftime was big Denver, who was back to his best today, dealing with every crisis that occurred in a businesslike manner.

2nd Half
As expected United made two changes with Murray and Sparky coming on for Andy and Mo. Murray went straight to the left wing while Sparky slotted in at rightback, releasing Mike Smith to right midfield. Suddenly we looked a much better team, with Murray and Mikey raiding on both wings. It seemed only a matter of time until the Sky Blues would take the lead, but the Ards defence, ably led by Lockhart soaked up everything we threw at them. United must have forced ten corners in this spell and won half a dozen free kicks, but they still couldn't get the vital breakthrough. The woodwork came to the visitors rescue on one occasion when a Hanly free was pushed onto the post by keeper Kerr. With 15 minutes left Darren Lockhart limped off the pitch to a deserved round of applause from the United fans and inadvertently this opened things up for the home side.

The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute when a Hanly free kick from 35 yards was headed home by Gibbo and the relief of the home fans was almost palpable. Six minutes later the game was made safe when Mikey notched his first goal of the season, with a left-foot from close range, although the ball did appear to take a deflection. Murray, the substitute was surprisingly substituted with Archie coming on at leftback and Colligan moving to left midfield, but by then the sting had gone out of the game. Referee Hunter brought the game to a close and United had won their third game in a row and their 2nd in a row at home and with their third 3 goal haul in a row, just what is going to happen next I wonder!

Nelson (7), Mikey (7), Colligan (6), Albert (7), Denver (8), Mo (5) (Sub: Sparky 7,), Gazza (7), Hanly (7), Andy (5)(Sub: Murray 6,(Sub: Archie 6,), Gibbo (7), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Denver Gage

Cutch Clincher!

United manager Roy Walker intimated last week that his players might need some shooting practice after missing a hatful of chances against the D.C. at Suffolk Road. Gary McCutcheon, based in Stranraer, obviously didn't benefit from it in his training at Stranraer and he had to practice it during today's game. His luck was out during the first-half, when his 3 shots all failed to find the target. In the 2nd half he got his sights in, off target with his first effort, his 2nd skimmed the crossbar and his third, but wait I'm getting ahead of myself here, let's talk about the quick-fire start that produced a goal for both teams after only 12 mins. Manager Walker made only one change to his starting line-up, Archie returning at leftback and Colligan dropping down to the bench and what a selection that turned out to be.

United Captain Gazza, also sprung a surprise, with United electing to attack their favourite goals at the Fisherwick end in the 1st half. United took the lead after only 5 minutes, when Archie took a throw-in to Cutch near the by-line and when he fed it back to Archie, the defender's cross found the head of Gibbo and he headed past Armstrong in the Portadown net, his 4th goal in a United jersey. United spurned a glorious chance to double their lead, but Cutch failed to find the target after a Mike Smith cross. This miss proved rather costly as the Ports broke down the right after 12 mins and Denver allowed Braniff to get his cross in and he found the head of Boyle, who beat Nelson all ends up.

This was our usual failing of letting crosses come in, instead of closing players down, a recipe for disaster. Cutch missed a glorious chance to restore the lead, but again failed to find the target, when sent clear by Hanly. With 20 mins on the clock we got a lucky break, when in a carbon copy of their equaliser, Boyle somehow headed over after United had given a Ports player a free run from his own half. Some of the visitors tackling was 'hard' to put it mildly and referee Burns finally cautioned McCabe for a late challenge. A rare slip by Albert allowed Boyle to wriggle past, but the United stalwart somehow got back to make a saving tackle, while visiting fans and management, cried foul, referee Burns however waved play on. United players somehow failed to get on the end of a Hanly free kick, which just needed a touch.

Sparky and Mikey Smith were linking well up the right and after one especially good run out of defence, I thought surely someone should have got on the end of Mikey's cross. Cutch missed the target yet again, but his shots were getting closer, while Denver failed with a close range header from a Hanly corner. Murray was having, for him a quiet game, but in one rare foray down the right, he passed to Mikey, who in turn passed to Gibbo, when a return to Murray would have been a better option.United assistant manager Wesley Gregg was in the dug-out as manager Walker serves a 3 match touch-line ban for asking to have a word with referee Davey Malcolm during United's game at the Oval. One wonders what would have happened if he had told Davey the truth, but then Davey would never admit to owing a guide dog, halftime was reached with the sides level at 1-1.

2nd Half
United continued to probe the visitors defence but Cutch failed to find the target after yet another Hanly pass. Assistant manager Gregg sent his subs out to warm up as Albert went down clutching his chest. Albert had been on top form and it was a worrying time as the physio came on, but the Sandy Row man was able to continue after a drink from the 'magic' bottle. With Albert back to full fitness United continued to dominate proceedings and in fact it was a glorious 40 yard pass from Albert to Murray, which broke the deadlock. Murray trapped the ball perfectly, jinked past his marker and delivered a slide-rule pass to Hanley who beat Armstrong with a right-foot shot in the 68th minute, his 4th goal in a United jersey also.

As if this goal wasn't bad enough for the visitors, McCabe drew another yellow card for a bad tackle on Gazza and as it was his 2nd, he was dismissed. Two minutes later substitute Lecky should've joined him when he clearly elbowed Denver, but just got a yellow. United seemed to lose their way a wee bit after this sending off but Gibbo found Cutch with a through ball and the wee man drove a left-foot shot which just skimmed the crossbar. The visitors were devoid of ideas in this half, relying on high balls into the box, which were 'bread and butter' for Albert and Denver. United finally put the match to bed in the 89th minute, when Gibbo found Cutch once more and the flying Scotsman left his marker for dead, before slamming the ball past Armstrong, to make the points safe, his fifth goal in a United jersey.

With the game into injury time United made a late substitution, with Colligan replacing Archie, a move which Archie didn't look too happy about. Referee Burns didn't prolong the agony for the visitors and blew the final whistle. The United fans were on their feet, applauding the team with relief as much as anything. It was after all only our 2nd home win and with 3 more home fixtures in a row we needed to find some sort of form and it was also our first fixture with our 'new' stand open for the first time, no doubt the Linfield fans will road test it it in a couple of weeks time, I for one can hardly wait!

Nelson (7), Sparky (7), Archie (7)(Sub: Colligan 7,), Albert (8), Denver (7), Mikey (7), Hanly (8), Gazza (7), Murray (8), Gibbo (8), Cutch (7)

Man of the match: Albert Watson

Done Egal!

Today United paid their first trip to Suffolk Road (or is it Celtic Park), this season and after some 'huffing and puffing' deservedly came away with 3 valuable points. The 3-2 margin in favour of the Sky Blues (crimson reds on this occasion), didn't actually reflect the gulf between the two teams, as United missed a hatful of chances, especially in the first half and in the end were a bit lucky to take all the plaudits. The D.C., who got nothing from the game, are to be congratulated on their facilities, which are miles ahead of Newry, Portadown, Crusaders, Cliftonville, Dungannon, Distillery, Coleraine and Glentoran. In fact if they moved the dug-outs, they'd push Windsor and Mourneview down the pecking order as well, but I suppose that's taking things a bit too far.

United manager Roy Walker went back to a 4,4,2 formation, with Colligan replacing Archie in defence and Gibbo coming in at the expense of Carson. United, playing against a strong diagonal wind, looked lively early on and deservedly took the lead after 12 minutes. Nathan Hanly, who made a sensational debut at Portadown, got his 2nd goal in a United jersey, when after good work by Murray, he unleashed a half-volley from the edge of the box, which crept past the unsighted home keeper. United should and could've had this game over after half an hour such was their dominance. Two minutes after this score, Murray, who gets better with every game, skipped past his marker and drove a cross into the six-yard box, which Gibbo failed to make contact with. Five minutes later it was the turn of Cutch, who attempted an audacious overhead, which hit the side-netting, but I thought he had time to control the ball and pick his spot.

United won a free kick about 25 yards from goal after about the 10th foul by O'Hara and I wondered if referee Courtenay had any cards at all, such was his benevolence. I wondered if this move was practised on the training ground as Hanly's attempt to roll the ball to a United player instead of the normal chip into the box, went completely astray. This in turn coupled with a poor tackle set up a chance for the home team, which luckily came to nothing. With 30 minutes on the clock, only Gibbo knows how he headed over the bar, with the goal at his mercy. Cutch, not to outdone, missed another sitter, after a nice pass from Murray. The home team forced a couple of corners and when United cleared one of these up-field, Murray jinked past two defenders before ballooning a shot over the bar, maybe the pitch was a bit bumpy or am I being too kind here.

Just after Gibbo missed another chance, his shot coming off the crossbar, what we had been dreading happened. The home team swept down the field and firstly Denver tried to shepherd the ball out for a throw-in, but then needlessly put it in to touch. Then Murray played his part shepherding the ball over the by-line when his was the last touch, giving away a corner. Nelson saved their bacon for the first corner, punching the ball wide from a driven cross, but missed the next one and up popped home midfielder McNamee to head into the empty net and tie the scores level at 1-1. United had, not for the first time this season it must be said, thrown away their first-half advantage, not really the form for a team vying to finish in the top six, never mind challenging for honours.

2nd half
Worse was to happen in the 2nd period as United came out for the half in a sluggish mood, struggling to clear their lines. Sixteen minutes into the half, after failing to clear the ball, it fell to Gargin 20 yards from goal and he duly dispatched it into the net with Nelson beaten all ends up. Things looked bad for United at this stage and we knew it was going to take something special to get us back in the game. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and the man on this occasion was Eamon Murray. There seemed little danger as he skipped down the wing, but he suddenly drifted inside and from 30 yards clipped an unstoppable shot past the flat-footed home keeper, to level the scores.

That goal came in the 64th minutes and 12 minutes later United tied up all 3 points with a somewhat controversial goal. United had won a corner on the right and from Hanly's in-swinger Gibbo headed goalwards only for the home keeper to claw the ball back, but an alert linesman signalled that it had in fact crossed the goal-line and United were awarded the goal. I must say here that I couldn't rightly say if the ball had crossed the goal-line, but the linesman seemed certain and in the end we have to accept his decision. Of course the home side protested and 3 players at least were cautioned by referee Courtenay (proof that he did have cards after all), while their manager, who ran halfway down the pitch, wasn't even ticked off for leaving his area. United had been about to make a substitution but now decided to stick with the 11 who started the game.

The home team brought on all three subs and United continued to fritter away the chances, Cutch and Gibbo being the main culprits, although Hanly, after a good run passed, when surely a shot would have been more circumspect. The referee somehow found five minutes of stoppage time and even though the home team tried to subvert United to some pressure, the back four of Sparky, Albert, Denver and Lee held firm. The insurance goal never came for United but our record on the road had been enhanced once more, but it should've been a whole lot easier than it was. Three points in the bag and I'm still complaining, but it was a lot closer than it needed to be, but a wins a win, after all is said and done!

Nelson (7), Sparky (7), Colligan (6), Albert (7), Denver (7), M.Smith (7), Hanly (7), Gazza (7), Murray (8), Gibbo (7), Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Eamon Murray

Second Rate!

United manager Roy walker was attempting to play down the importance of a win against tonight's opponents, Lisburn Distillery, in his quest for a top six finish next March. His line-up tonight, of a 4,5,1 formation was indicative of a man looking for a point, which in the end proved beyond us. Gazza, allegedly a flu victim last Saturday, replaced Gavin Taggart in the starting line-up, while Sparky came in for the dropped Gibbo at rightback. United, were with this line-up as you'd expect, pretty devoid of attacking ideas and it was the visitors who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half.

Twice United keeper Dwayne Nelson, came to his sides rescue with point blank saves, while at the other end, Murray hit the side-netting. Neither team had any idea how to break down the others defence and some of the fare served up was decidedly poor. Murray did come close with a dipping swerving shot that clipped the outside of the post, while Hanly should've done better, when left free on the right, but Matthews in the Whites goal easily saved his shot. The sides went in level at halftime and I thought surely Roy will bring Gibbo on at halftime as we were winning nothing in the air and Gazza was the pick of our players.

2nd Half
Alas we came out for the 2nd period with the same personnel and still devoid of ideas, although in fairness we did play some nice football. On one of our dainty inter-passing manoeuvres, Archie, slipped at the vital moment and the visitors bore down on our goal. Albert, a stalwart in defence, made a saving tackle, but the ball was only partially cleared. The ball fell kindly to the visitors left-winger and he was allowed to shoot at United's goal. Nelson could only parry the shot, his only mistake in the game and Thompson who was following up had the simple task of finding the net. United fans were perplexed at this turn of events and even more frustrated when their manager failed to act immediately. In fact it was a whole five minutes after the goal when Walker finally took off Sparky and brought on Gibbo.

This introduction made little or no impact and a short time later, Archie and Rory made way for Colligan and local boy Mo McDowell. Suddenly we looked like a different proposition and Mo was soon skipping down the wing, but his crosses were not being put away by our forwards. Hanly, badly off form at present, smacked a free kick off the crossbar and then moments later Denver, who had a poor game overall, missed with a free header. Gazza, had a shot blocked for a corner as we attempted to get something out of the game. Despite our pressure and another free header this time by Gibbo, who failed miserably to find the target, we never forced visiting keeper Matthews to earn his keep. Mo and Murray combined down the right and Murray's cross was missed by the Cutch. The goal just wouldn't come and we had lost another vital home game, what is the confidence like now heading into the Donegal Celtic cauldron next Saturday I wonder!

Nelson (6), Sparky (5)(Sub: Gibbo 6,), Archie (Sub: Colligan 6,), Denver (5), Albert (6), M.Smith (6), Rory (5)(Sub: Mo 7,), Gazza (7), Hanly (6), Murray (7), Cutch (5)

Man of the match: Gazza

Dying Hard!

There's an old saying about bad habits dying hard and this is so true about United's defending. Time and time again I've criticised our defenders on their bad habits in allowing wingers to get their crosses in. I've also criticised our complete lack of the basics in our game. Firstly our ability to take or defend corners, in which there has been a slight improvement, but still needs a wee bit more adjustment as our taking of them is too predictable. Then there's the thing we still haven't mastered, throw-ins. We can't defend them, we're always 6 yards away from the receiver and then even further away from the taker. While our ploy in taking them seems to be a hopeful lob in the direction of a target man, but no plan after he gets it, which rarely happens anyway. These are the things we need to work on, get them sorted and we might have a chance of holding onto fifth place, but at the minute I fear we are in a false position.

United manager Roy Walker made one change to his starting line-up, Carson as expected returned after suspension, while Mo dropped down to the bench. Roy also moved Rory inside and Hanly onto the wing, which meant in my opinion, our midfield never really functioned. One of the major talking points was the absence of team captain, Gazza, from the bench, if he wasn't injured I fear this was a major gaffe as we could have done with his battling qualities in the later stages of the game. United weren't at the races in the early stages as the 'slick moving' Swifts forward line exposed our defensive frailties and but for home keeper Dwayne Nelson would have deservedly went in at halftime with a comfortable lead.

During the opening 25 minutes they carved open the United defence on at least half a dozen occasions and Nelson saved our bacon on at least 3 occasions, while Archie, made a couple of timely interceptions. Denver, who was having a bit of a nightmare found some inspiration from somewhere and after that we steadied the ship somewhat. Our defence was allowing winger Ryan McIlmoyle to get his crosses in and I feared this would lead to our downfall and unfortunately I was eventually proved right. Cutch, who hasn't scored for five games, somehow managed to wriggle past a defender, but shot wide, our first real chance.

Then after a nice bit of play, Carson burst through and his shot from the edge of the box was pushed for a corner by ex-United keeper Sean O'Neill. Eamon Murray had already showed his wing prowess as he skipped past another former United player, Craig McClean, but failed to find anybody with his final pass, something he needs to work on. United weren't helped at the back by a couple of gaffes from the linesman at the Fisherwick end, as he missed two blatant offsides but thereafter did okay. United got a somewhat undeserved lead a minute before halftime, when Cutch helped a Nelson clearance into the path of Murray and he burst into the box before chipping O'Neill to put United one up, his third goal in a Sky Blue shirt. The home fans were delighted as they couldn't remember the last time they actually took the lead against their opponents and held it at halftime.

2nd half
United seemed content to hold their one goal lead, a fatal ploy in my opinion, although when the visitors missed an absolute 'sitter' it appeared to be a reasonable idea. The home defence went asleep, not for the first time I might add and allowed a visiting player to have a pop at goal. The ball cannoned off Nelson's crossbar and a visiting player headed over from point blank range, a real let off. This would have been the perfect time to bring Gazza on, but of course he wasn't there, or switch Rory to the right wing and Murray to the left. Roy of course had other ideas and to my utter surprise took Rory off and brought Colligan on. Colligan took up a left midfield slot (a position he can't play), with Hanly moving inside to partner Taggart.

This substitution was of no benefit to us and in fact meant that we defended deeper and deeper, with little or no outlet. Murray, who had been a bit of a thorn in the flesh, saw little of the ball in the 2nd half as we tended to attack down the left, but failed miserably in getting our crosses in. Murray in fact, twice had to come to our rescue in defence.Then we had one of those incidents that totally amaze me, when after Denver and Adamson tangled, Adamson was clearly seen head-butting the United defender, a straight red card offence, but referee Halliday cautioned the United player and only cautioned Adamson for dissent, is head-butting now an acceptable form of tackling I wonder? Cutch somehow missed our best chance of the 2nd half when after being played in he completely mis-kicked and the chance went begging.

The visitors deservedly levelled the scores when after Mike Smith went on a mazy run and instead of passing to the unmarked Murray he gave the ball away cheaply and United were caught on the hop. The ball was quickly fed to McIlmoyle and as he sprinted down the wing Albert had to come out to tackle him, this in turn left us exposed at the back post and when Albert allowed the winger to cross, Ward, another ex-United man, ghosted in at the back post to fire home. This goal had been coming for a long time and with 20 minutes left I wondered if there was more misery in store for us. Roy finally bit the bullet and took off Taggart, with George Young coming on and soon after took off Gibbo and brought on Sparky.

Neither substitution did anything for us really and I'd rather have seen Gibbo stay on and Cutch go off as he was badly off form. Somebody actually said that Cutch was playing better when he had bruised ribs, but as we know 'form is temporary', while 'class is permanent' and the wee man will find his form soon. Cutch actually had another chance to tie up the points, but dragged his shot wide. United held out for a draw and are still in a tie for 4th spot and a chance to move into it alone when they entertain former manager Tommy Wright and the Whites on Tuesday night, let's hope our defence won't be so benevolent in that game. Somehow I think a certain Spike Ferguson would have relished taking our boys apart on today's performance, if it's not sorted, things could be really bad!

Nelson (7), M.Smith (5), Albert (5), Denver (5), Archie(6), Murray (7), Taggart (4)(Sub: Young 6,), Carson (6)(Sub: Colligan 5,), Hanly (5), Gibbo (6)(Sub: Sparky 6,),Cutch (6)

Man of the match: Dwayne Nelson