DUFC

RESERVES DRAW WITH HEARTS

2nd November 2005

Having gone behind at the start of the second half, the Reserves not only came from behind, but should have won in the end having three great chances after drawing level from the spot.

For the match at Forthbank, the back three comprised of Burnett, Dodds and Gardiner in front of Samson. The middle five were Abbot, Cameron, McInnes, Robertson, McAleenan with Goodwillie and Miller up front.

There was almost a complete lack of goalmouth action in the first half as both sides huffed and puffed. The one exception to that came after thirty minutes when Stuart Abbot played the ball up in the right hand channel for David Goodwillie to run on to and he cut back inside before delivering a measured shot that just evaded the far post.

At the interval Stan Easton replaced Kieran McAleenan, but it was Hearts who were on top as the second half started.

And they were rewarded for their early second half pressure after 52 minutes when Stephen Simmons released Deividas Cesnauskis who angled home from 10-yards.

The home side were well on top at that stage, but the arrival of Barry Callaghan in place of Greg Cameron changed the complexion of the game.

Midway through the half, the substitute's great ball forward matched David Robertson's well-timed run, but Robertson only succeeded in weakly lobbing the ball into the arms of home keeper Jamie McDonald. Two minutes later, McDonald was at full stretch to tip a Lee Miller free-kick round the post.

However, from the resultant corner, Calum Elliot clumsily clattered into Billy Dodds who was beyond the back post to concede a penalty, and this time Miller comprehensively beat the keeper.

As United went in search of the winner, Derek McInnes pulled a shot just past the post with five minutes left.

Then David Goodwillie appeared certain to score when he dived to meet a perfectly flighted cross from Willie Easton, but completely missed the ball right in front of goal.

Three minutes from end, the Hearts goal enjoyed another narrow escape when McDonald finger-tipped David Roberston's side-footed effort on to the post.

Dundee United: Samson, Abbot, McAleenan (Easton 46), Dodds, Burnett, Gardiner, Cameron (Callaghan 61), McInnes, Miller, Robertson, Goodwillie. Subs not used: McLean, Donnelly, Feeney.