A controversial Tennents Scottish Cup third round match saw both sides finish
with only nine men.
In separate incidents Bernard Pascual and Antoine Preget of the home team were
both dismissed by referee Alan Freeland as were Eddie Forrest and Jim Dick of
Airdrie.
But midfielder David Hannah clinched United's place in the last 16 with two goals.
Airdrie, Scottish Cup finalists in 1992 and 1995, now lie second bottom of the
first division and arrived at Tannadice as underdogs.
United, currently third in the Premier League, carved out the first chance of
the game after 10 minutes and bossed the match.
Hannah should have put them ahead, directing a free header from six yards well
wide of the post after Hugh Davidson had delivered the cross from the right.
United stepped up the pace and a fierce shot from Siggi Jonsson, who had
recovered from a stomach bug, was deflected away from the target.
Hannah made amends for his earlier miss by putting the home side ahead after
17 minutes.
Stevie Thompson cut the ball back and Hannah rattled it home from inside the
area after his initial effort had been blocked by Forrest.
Airdrie, who have built a fearsome cup reputation over the years, were
struggling to find their rhythm as half-time approached.
A dismal series of results had seen them plunged into the relegation zone and
they looked short on confidence.
Frenchman Preget almost added a second for United in the 27th minute with a
stunning 20-yard volley that went beyond keeper Scott Thomson and beyond the
post.
Forrest, who had earlier been booked for a challenge on keeper Alan Combe, was
then banished to the dressing room in the 37th minute after a tackle on
Thompson.
Pascual followed three minutes before the break after picking up another yellow
card, again for a challenge on Gareth Evans.
Airdrie hit back at the start of the second half and Austin McCann's free-kick
deceived the United defence.
Allan Moore got in a firm header but keeper Alan Combe was well positioned and
saved comfortably.
Airdrie drew level in the 57th minute to stun the home fans when McCann scored
from the penalty spot.
Hannah was the offender, handling the ball in the area as Stewart Easton tried
to control it.
However, United regained the lead a minute later to make it 2-1 when Alex
Mathie, recently on loan to Preston, swept the ball in first time after a superb
cross from Davidson.
Airdrie were further depleted and left with nine men in the 77th minute when
Jim Dick was sent off after picking up his second yellow card for a lunge at
Preget. He had earlier been booked for diving.
United pressed home their advantage and Hannah grabbed his second goal to make
it 3-1 11 minutes from time when he headed in a cross from Davidson at the near
post.
The game ended controversially with Preget red-carded six minutes from time
after apparently elbowing Sandy Stewart in the face.
Sub Joaquim Ferraz added a fourth for United with three minutes to go with a
cool finish after latching onto a long pass from Jason de Vos.
Teams:
Dundee Utd: Combe, De Vos, Pascual, Jonsson, Partridge,
Davidson, Hannah, Telesnikov (Skoldmark 77), Preget,
Mathie (Ferraz 77), Thompson.
Subs Not Used: Malpas.
Sent Off: Pascual (42), Preget (84).
Booked: Pascual, Partridge, De Vos.
Goals: Hannah 17, Mathie 58, Hannah 79, Ferraz 87.
Airdrie: Thomson, Forrest, Jack, McCann, Johnston, Moore,
Stewart, Dick, Easton (Taylor 64), Thompson (McCormick 71),Evans (Neil 81).
Sent Off: Forrest (37), Dick (77).
Booked: Jack, Forrest, Dick.
Goals: McCann 57 pen.
Att: 5,172
Ref: Alan Freeland (Scotland).
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