Cup stalemate at Tannadice

Holders Dundee Utd came back from a goal down on two occasions to earn a replay against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup quarter final

Motherwell got off to a brilliant start with a goal inside the opening minute. They won a corner on 24 seconds, Hammell took the kick and found the head of Sutton at the far post and his effort left Pernis with no chance. The goal was timed at 54 seconds.

Despite a lot of United possession Motherwell had decent long range efforts from Murphy and Jeffers. Pernis made a comfortable save from Murphy but Jeffers’ effort went just the wrong side of the post.

Then at the other end Goodwillie slipped past three Well defenders before hitting a crisp shot which Darren Randolph reacted brilliantly to save one handed.

Within minutes it was the turn of the other keeper to shine, Keith Lasley hit a stunning volley from the edge of the box, and the ball looked to be heading for the top corner until Pernis got up to save one handed and tip the ball over the bar.

With five minutes to the break United got back level, a Watson cross from the right looked harmless enough until Goodwillie pulled out a stunning overhead kick to leave Randolph helpless.

The opening stages of the second half was poorer stuff but Well came close with Lasley having a shot saved by Pernis, and then Dillon almost putting through his own goal from a Hammell cross.

The visitors took the lead on the 73 minutes, great combination play between Hammell and Lasley allowed Hammell to whip a cross to the front post for Sutton to sweep past Pernis.

They couldn’t hold on to the lead for more than a minute, with United going straight up the other end and equalising. A cross from the right missed everybody in the six yard box apart from Daly who was in acres of space to side foot home from six yards out.

There were further chances at either end with a long range effort from Saunders swerving just wide of the post. In the end both sides had to settle for a replay and another crack at getting to the semi finals, and this was probably a fair result over the 90 minutes.