DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: DUNDEE 3 UNITED 1

At the start of a month during which derbies dominate, Dundee deservedly took the bragging rights after a 3-1 win in the first at Development League level, played at Arbroath’s Gayfield Park.

By Peter Rundo

Having said that, it took a goal late on for the Dark Blues to seal victory against a United side reduced to 10 men after full back Euan Spark’s dismissal.

Dundee started brightly and almost took the lead in the first minute when Marc McCallum was forced into action to keep out a Lee Cameron effort.

United did have the ball in the net after seven minutes, but Blair Spittal had strayed offside before cutting the ball back for Aidan Connolly.

McCallum came to the rescue when a slack pass-back put Dundee’s Josh Skelly in on goal, but McCallum raced from his line to clear from the on-rushing striker.

The Dens men continued to do most of the pressing and the ever-dangerous Craig Wighton fired a long range effort just over.

The ‘home’ side scorned a good chance for the opener when Martin Boyle raced through before squaring Skelly, but fortunately for the Tangerines, the ball got caught under the youngster's feet and the chance went a-begging.

Against the run of play, it was United who took the lead on the half hour mark. A long ball downfield was chased by Connolly who lobbed the ball over the stranded Bain and into the empty net.

However, Dundee were back five minutes later when Wighton played the ball to Skelly who cleverly turned and equalled for the hosts.

HT: Dundee 1 United 1

Striker Ola Adeyemo replaced Jordan Moore at the interval, and United began well, Charlie Telfer testing Bain from 25 yards. Then the substitute got in behind the Dens defence only for Bain’s outstretched leg to deny him.

There was a let off for Dundee when Bain rushed out and his headed clearance fell straight to the feet of Ali Coote, but the youngster sent his shot wide of an inviting open goal.

On the hour mark, Dundee went in front, Boyle pouncing on to Matty Allan’s free kick to slip the ball past McCallum.

Five minutes later Wighton played in Boyle whose effort went wide of the target.

With 20 minutes left, United made a double substitution, introducing Jamie Montgomery and Brad Smith for Fraser and Coote, but they were reduced to 10 men a minute later when Spark picked up a second yellow card.

Despite this United pressed for the equaliser, Connolly firing over the bar from distance.

The Dark Blues spurned a golden opportunity to seal victory when Boyle’s cross found Cameron’s head, but from point-blank range he headed into the arms of McCallum.

Shortly afterwards, McCallum again came to his side’s rescue and blocked a Skelly shot.

Connolly replied for United with a fierce shot that sneaked past Bain’s left hand post, but Wighton had the final say when he took a Boyle pass in his stride and rounded the keeper and two defenders before slotting home.

United: McCallum, Spark, S Smith, Telfer, Butcher, Harwood, Connolly, Coote (B Smith 70), Moore (Adeyemo 46), Fraser (Montgomery 70), Spittal.

Subs not used: McGovern, Ballantyne, Malaga, Tumilty.