DUFC

A GAME OF TWO HALVES BUT RANGERS TAKE POINTS

6th December 2003

Dundee United travelled to Ibrox to face Rangers in today's Bank Of Scotland SPL fixture with only one change from the starting eleven from last week; Barry Robson is on in place of Jim Paterson.

In a first half dominated by the home side, United had hardly a shot at goal whilst Rangers threatened to over run the Tangerines. It was no surprise when Capucho outpaced the defence to slot home the opener in seventeen minutes and three minutes later, Lovenkrands side-footed home from inside the six-yard area to double the lead. It looked like it could be all over for United when Kerr was adjudged to have fouled Lovenkrands in the box but Gallacher did extremely well to dive full length and turn Emerson's spot kick round the post.

If Rangers had it all their own way in the first half, the second period was a different story entirely. Only two minutes into the match United were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty when Dodds was brought down by Khizanishvili. For a short period after that Rangers had most of the possession but on fifty-six minutes United pulled one back when the ball finished at the feet of Dodds, practically on the goal line and the striker made no mistake. United were the better team from that point on and Ian McCall will probably feel, quite rightly, that his side deserved a point at least for their spirited second half performance.

Rangers: Klos, Ricksen, Berg, Khizanishvili, Ball, Burke (Vanoli 87), Emerson (Malcolm 76), Hughes, Lovenkrands, Capucho, Mols (Duffy 83).
Subs Not Used: McGregor, Ross.

Booked: Ball.
United : Gallacher, Wilson (Easton 45), Innes, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr (Miller 68), McInnes, Robson, Dodds (Samuel 74), McLaren, McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Paterson.