DUNDEE deservedly edged past United with this narrow victory over their neighbours thanks to Scott Allan’s second-half strike.
Faissal El Bakhtaoui had put the hosts in the lead at Dens Park with a screamer but Billy King levelled before the break.
It was a game in which the hosts created and wasted a hatful of chances but United continued to be a thorn in their side.
In the typical cauldron of a derby, it was the hosts who began in full throttle almost drawing first blood in the 4th minute Ex Tannadice favourite Scott Allan swung in a corner which seemed to deceive everyone ultimately bouncing off the boot of Marcus Haber four yards out, agonisingly sliding past the post. As United to continue struggle in the air, Haber should have then broken the deadlock heading narrowly wide from a delightful McGowan chip With United very much on the backfoot, they were dealt a blow in the 18th minute when captain Tam Scobbie fell to the ground in a strong tussle with Haber and had to leave the field.
In total command, the Dees wasted a glorious chance in the 20th minute when a hopeful chip was missed by William Edjenguelle leaving Faissal El Bakhtatqui the chanced to run in on goal but he rashly skewed his shot wide of the post from 12 yards The incessant pressure was finally rewarded on the half hour with brilliant goal from El Bakhtaoui. Roay Deacon’s cross was headed out by the box by Edjenguelle for the French-Tunisian to pick it up and smack the ball in off the underside of the bar from 20 yards.
It took the timid visitors 36 minutes to create their first chance with in-form Paul McMullen firing over from a Sam Stanton. The same player followed with an 18 yard shot which whistled past the post.
The warning signs were there for the hosts and United equalised five minutes from the break with an excellent goal. Sam Stanton powered through the home defence and squared the ball for Billy King to slide the ball in at the far post from six yards .
The second period mirrored the first with Dundee dominating the ball but looking remarkably shaky when the visitors attacked. With the game becoming evenly balanced Paul McGowan stepped up to give the Dees a spectacular winner in the 64th minute .
Allan picked the ball out on the left flack, chipped the ball inside for the midfielder to delightfully curl the ball from the edge of the box in to the far corner.
And thus booked Neil McCann’s side’s place in the last 16.
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