Dundee United 2 Livingston 3

It was disappointment for United as they lose 3-2 to Livingston in the first leg of the Semi Final playoff. Goals from Mikkelsen and Ralston were not enough to secure the win as United now head to the second leg on Friday.

By Ian Isbister

Fresh from their second-half exploits on Friday night against Dunfermline, United went into tonight’s semi-final play-off first leg against Livingston with plenty of confidence. Manager Csaba Laszlo continued with the 11 that finished that game, with Mikkelsen now starting and McMullan on the bench. Harry Lewis started in goal instead of Deniz Mehmet, who was unlucky to be injured whilst celebrating McDonald’s equaliser in Friday’s quarter final tie. Livingston finished their regular season with two defeats, against Inverness and United themselves. The advantage of finishing second place behind Champions St Mirren ensured that Livingston had over a week to prepare for tonight’s game.

It was Livingston who drew first blood after just two minutes. As McDonald battled to regain possession in midfield the ball fell to Robinson. His inch-perfect pass fed in De Vita who calmly slotted past Lewis in the United goal. Not the start United were looking for, but they showed plenty of character by equalising just 60 seconds later. As United broke down the left, King’s cross was met by Mikkelsen in the middle of the Livingston box. The great Dane’s left footed shot was drilled past the experienced Alexander and United were level. Livi were nearly ahead again after 8 minutes when Mullin found De Vita in acres of space down United’s right wing. With United calling for offside, De Vita carried on but his shot was well stopped by Lewis. Both sides were now battling it out and showing no affects of a long hard season. United were unlucky not to take the lead in 23 minutes when King’s corner was headed by Mikkelsen from six yards out. His header looked goal bound but was fingertipped over the bar by Alexander in the Livi goal. United were now beginning to take control and were ahead in 28 minutes. Good build-up play by Fraser created space for Stanton to run into. His clever pass out onto the right wing found Anthony Ralston, who made no mistake as his low shot flew past Alexander’s right hand post into the empty net. For the second play-off game in a row, United had come from behind to lead 2-1. The home side continued to press, looking for some breathing space between themselves and Livi. Ralston nearly added a third in 35 minutes when his curling right foot shot was blocked by Longridge. McDonald tried an adventurous back header over Alexander in goal but was unfortunate to see his effort come down just as Mikkelsen clashed with the goalkeeper and referee Walsh quickly blew for a foul. The Arabs around Tannadice showed their appreciation as the referee blew the half-time whistle with United 2-1 ahead.

United started the second half the livelier of the two sides, and were continuing to knock on the Livi door to increase their lead. Robson was finding plenty of space down the left wing but was coming up against a resilient Livingston defence. The first real opportunity of the second half came in 51 minutes when McDonald drifted into space in the box between two defenders. Ralston’s cross found the Aussie striker and his deft header was first saved by the fingertips of Alexander, before eventually being cleared by Lithgow.  Livingston had weathered the early second-half pressure and were now coming back into the game. The aerial presence of Miller and Lithgow was causing United problems, with Lewis having to be at his best to deal with some tricky crosses.  United were now looking for damage limitation as Livingston continued to look for an equaliser. Erratic defending, plenty of luck and sheer dogged determination were keeping United ahead. With 20 minutes remaining, United began to find their form again. Flood’s determined running, Fraser’s trickery and McDonald’s tenacity were key factors in keeping United in the hunt for that elusive third goal. Despite their efforts on the Livi goal, it was the away side that were to strike again. An attack by Livingston in the 77th minutes saw the ball eventually drop to Mullin who quickly lifted the ball over the outcoming Lewis. Two minutes later and Livingston were ahead for the second time in the game. This time it was Pittman who found himself through on goal and this time he casually rolled the ball past Lewis’s right hand post to make it 3-2 to Livi. Worse was to come for United when in 85 minutes they were reduced to 10 men. Trying to take a quick free kick, Shaun Byrne of Livingston blocked Flood from taking it. Flood’s frustration getting the better of him, he pushed Byrne to the ground. Referee Walsh had no hesitation but to issue a second yellow card to the Irishman and a red card to follow.  As the referee blew for full time at 3-2 to Livingston, it is now up to United to raise their game for the second leg on Friday night.

Dundee United - Lewis, Murdoch, McDonald, Mikkelsen, Stanton, Fraser, Flood ©, Robson, King (Lyng 75), Ralston, Mohsni (Durnan 90) 

Subs not used - Donaldson (GK), Gillespie, Slater, McMullan,  Edjenguele 

Livingston - Alexander, Longridge (Thompson 89), Lithgow, Byrne, Mullin, Pittman, Robinson (Jacobs 79), Miller, De Vita (Cadden 69), Halkett ©, Gallacher

Subs not used - Maley (GK), McMillan, Buchanan, Frizell, Thompson

Referee - Nick Walsh

Assistant Referees - Alan Mulvanny and John McCrossan

Fourth Official - Kevin Graham 

Bookings:

United: Flood (71mins),

Livingston: Robinson (22mins), Gallacher (45mins), Mullin (53mins) 

Sent off - Flood (87mins)

Attendance - 5,610