A last-minute goal by Dundee United prompted ugly scenes at Tannadice as they
secured three points against Dundee.
The derby looked set to end level for the third time this season but Jim
McIntyre grabbed a last-gasp winner for the home side.
That was followed by an away supporter attempting to invade the pitch before
being escorted out of the ground by police and missiles also appeared to be
thrown from the same stand.
Dundee co-ordinator Dario Magri was ordered to the stand as the game entered
injury-time and, as the final whistle was blown, Walter del Rio appeared to
confront referee Willie Young.
Both Dundee teams had displayed erratic form so far this season and this game
was always going to be a difficult one to call.
The pace from the outset was frantic and at times the game was bad tempered
with Jim Hamilton's name being added to referee Willie Young's book after just
four minutes.
He had been the victim of a challenge by del Rio just seconds earlier but the
Dundee United striker retaliated and the official did not hesitate to show the
yellow card.
That was the only real talking point in the early stages of the game but the
derby sprang into life when Dundee turned their possession into chances and
Jamie Fullarton was forced to clear a Beto Carranza header off the line after
seven minutes.
Steven Milne then tried to set up Juan Sara in front of goal but the danger
was cleared by Jim Lauchlan before the striker had the chance to unleash the
shot.
Although Dundee had enjoyed the best of the early chances, United began to
come into the game more and they were unlucky when Craig Easton's shot - which
had taken a deflection off Massimo Beghetto - was pushed over the crossbar by
goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
He came to their rescue again three minutes before the break when he managed
to block a dangerous-looking Charlie Miller drive.
Dundee started the second half in determined style and had two chances to take
the lead within a minute of the re-start.
Hamilton managed to get his head to a del Rio shot and just nodded over the
crossbar before goalkeeper Paul Gallacher turned a low effort from the
Argentinian past the upright.
But United were still proving to be a threat at the other end of the park when
Hamilton played the ball to Lilley.
He flicked on to the on-rushing McIntyre but the former Reading striker fired
well over the crossbar.
Speroni was having a great game and, once again, he managed to keep the
scoreline level.
This time he dived low to his right to block a Hamilton header and did well to
turn the ball past the post.
United looked certain to take the lead after 69 minutes when Jamie McCunnie
played a superb ball through to Hamilton and he burst into the box but he was
forced to watch in agony as his shot cannoned off the post.
United goalkeeper Gallacher proved that he could be just as effective as
Speroni when he saved Alessandro Romano's point-blank header after 70 minutes.
The Tannadice side made a half-hearted claim for a penalty six minutes later
when McIntyre tumbled under pressure from David Mackay but the referee waved
play on.
As the game crept towards the last 10 minutes substitute Fabian Caballero
almost snatched the three points for Dundee.
Sara went on a good run that took him into the box and he played the ball out
to Caballero but the Argentinian's shot was blocked by McCunnie.
Just as the game looked set to end as a goalless draw, the home side grabbed a
goal in the last minute.
Beghetto's foul on Steven Thompson proved costly when United were awarded a
free-kick that was taken by Miller and met by McIntyre who nodded home the
winner.
That prompted a supporter from the away end to try to get onto the pitch and
he was escorted out of the ground by the police.
This was followed by Dundee co-ordinator Dario Magri being sent to the stand.
As the final whistle was blown del Rio appeared to confront referee Young in an
ugly end to the game.
Teams:
Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, Wright, Lauchlan, Wilson,
Easton, Fullarton, Miller, McIntyre (Hannah 90),
Hamilton (Winters 73), Lilley (Thompson 79).
Subs Not Used: Combe, McCracken.
Booked: Lilley.
Goals: McIntyre 90.
Dundee: Speroni, Smith, Del Rio, Zhiyi, Beghetto, Romano,
Rae (Artero 25), Torres, Carranza (MacKay 73), Sara,
Milne (Caballero 61).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Kemes.
Booked: Carranza, Caballero.
Att: 12,851
Ref: W Young (Scotland).
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