UNITED U20S 1 - 0 KILMARNOCK U20S

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

A goal on 74 minutes gave a very young United outfit a narrow win over their Ayrshire opponents at Gayfield tonight.

Playing against the strong wind, United created two good early chances in the opening couple of minutes.

Mark Russell went close with a glancing header and then Reghan Tumilty knocked a Russell cross just wide of the near post.

From then until half time, however, Kilmarnock totally dominated.

Fortunately for United, they created very few openings.

Indeed, Tangerines' keeper Joe McGovern was only twice troubled.

After 11 minutes, he pushed Aaron Splaine's 20-yarder round the post.

And whilst he could only block a 40-yard wind-assisted free kick from David Syme with his legs, he gathered at the second attempt.

With the advantage of the elements, visiting keeper Conor Brennan was forced into a similar save from a Russell free kick from distance early in the second half.

It was a much more evenly contested second half and Jamie Montgomery headed inches over from Ross Gilmour's cross after 70 minutes.

And four minutes later, United got what proved to be the winner with a helping hand from Killie's Ross Davidson.

His attempted pass back from 40 yards was right into the path of Russell who ran on to calmly knock the ball past the advancing keeper from just outside the box.

Dundee United: McGovern, Gilmour, Spark, S smith, Harwood, Ballantyne (H Souttar 64) , Fraser, Montgomery, Tumilty (Allardyce 90), Hornby, M Russell.

Subs not used: None

Kilmarnock: Brennan, Hainey, Slater, Hodge, Syme, Splaine (Pooler 33), Davidson, Muirhead, Ruben, Kiltie (Thomson 68). Subs not used: Mackay, McEvoy, Hawkshaw.