DUFC

LATE GOALS AT CELTIC PARK

16th May 2004

In the final match of the season for United, Ian McCall made only one change to the starting line-up with Craig Easton on for the injured Derek McInnes. There is good news for United with Scott Paterson on the bench after his long lay-off. This was to be the Henrik Larsson show as the Swedish international striker played his last home game in front of the Celtic Park crowd but United had not read the script and came very close to spoiling the party.

The first half was evenly contested with United having a fair share of the play as ten corners to Celtic's four will testify. Agathe saved the Hoops when he blocked a Samuel effort after Marshall had fumbled and some excellent passing play set up several other chances for United, the best of which was an Easton shot from twenty yards. Celtic had chances too but Gallacher made three excellent saves to keep the score line blank at half time.

After the interval Celtic began to look more threatening and Larsson had opportunities to score in the early stages but missed the target. United kept playing their passing game and Miller and Samuel were both out of luck twice. Just as it looked as if United would return with the point that their play deserved, Larsson struck with a header nine minutes from the end and then he scored again three minutes later. Scotland was then brought down in the box and Wilson scored from the spot to give the home side a nervy last few minutes.

Click here for a full match report.