United Beat the Dons

By Sean Saranczuk
January 19 2004

Billy Dodds slammed home a last-minute penalty to ensure all three points went to Dundee United after Aberdeen capitulated in the final stages at Tannadice.

Steve Paterson's side were leading by a single goal going into the last five minutes, after Scott Booth and an own goal from Alan Archibald cancelled out Barry Robson's opener and handed the Dons the lead.

However, the introduction of Charlie Miller with 18 minutes remaining inspired United to a 3-2 victory - and silenced his critics in the away end of the ground.

His previous employment as a Rangers player singled him out as a target for abuse during his warm-up, but he reacted in the best possible way by nodding home Robson's corner with five minutes left.

Miller's involvement did not end there as it was he who had his legs whipped from him by Steve Tosh - resulting in Dodds being presented with a that late chance to beat David Preece, which he duly did.

United opened the scoring when Robson raced across the pitch to meet a Mark Wilson cross after the youngster had combined well with Mark Kerr in midfield.

Once he nipped in ahead of the Dons defence, he was left with the simplest of opportunities and side-footed the ball past Preece from close range.

Booth should have restored parity in the 33rd minute when he bolted through one-on-one with Paul Gallacher, but he knocked the ball hopelessly wide from 16 yards out.

United thought they had added another eight minutes before the break, but referee Stuart Dougal judged that McLaren had used his hand to steer Robson's cross into the net.

Aberdeen were back in the match 10 minutes after the interval with Booth scoring a penalty after he was pushed in the back by David McCracken as he went for a Scott Muirhead cross.

Booth's goal buoyed the Dons and they were rewarded in the 65th minute when Archibald stuck out a leg to clear Chris Clark's low drive, but only succeeded in knocking it into his own net.

Substitute Miller silenced his detractors with a fine header from Robson's corner five minutes before time.

United then snatched all three points in a dramatic conclusion after Tosh fouled the former Rangers' man. Dodds stepped up to take the kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.