Dundee United eventually struggled past battling Gretna in the Tennent's Scottish Cup third round as they secured a narrow win over the Bells Third Division side at Raydale Park.

The visitors raced into a three-goal lead after only 19 minutes through Barry Robson, Mark Kerr and Mark Wilson, the latter coming from the penalty spot.

Wilson missed a second penalty before a Kenny Deuchar strike five minutes from the interval gave the home side a lifeline.

Two minutes into the second half a controversial Mark Birch penalty had the Bank of Scotland Premier League side rocking but Stevie Crawford's first goal for his new club soon after seemed to have ended the Gretna fightback.

However, a sensational goal by Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton set up a nervous ending for the visitors and it was a relieved United at the final whistle.

The Tannadice men now face Queen of the South in the next round and Gretna can take heart from their performance into their drive to climb the Scottish Leagues.

United took the lead after three minutes when Kerr's cross from the right was met by midfielder Robson who rose above the home defence to head home from six yards.

And in the seventh minute United doubled their lead with a well-taken effort by Kerr.

Midfielder Derek McInnes' cross into the box was pushed out by Gretna goalkeeper David Mathieson but the ball fell to the former Falkirk player 25 yards from goal and he calmly volleyed an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

At the other end Deuchar's powerful drive from the edge of the box was well saved by United keeper Tony Bullock.

But the visitors were making good use of the wind at their backs, pushing Gretna back towards their own goal.

And in the 19th minute they got a reward for their pressure when they scored their third goal via the penalty spot after Jamie McQuilken handled the ball.

Scotland Future player Wilson stepped up to confidently slam the ball into the net

In the 36th minute United were awarded a second penalty when 'keeper Mathieson brought down Robson.

But this time the Gretna goalkeeper saved Wilson's shot before James Grady blasted the rebound over the bar.

Minutes later Gretna striker David Bingham came close with an angled volley from 20 yards which went just wide of Bullock's left-hand post.

Then in the 40th minute Gretna gave themselves a lifeline when they pulled a goal back.

Midfielder Bryan Gilfillan shot from the edge of the box and the unsighted Bullock saved well but Deuchar was on hand to knock the ball in from close range.

Two minutes after the restart the home side grabbed a sensational second goal after United defender David McCracken tangled with Deuchar inside the penalty area.

Gretna midfielder Skelton slammed the ball into the net and referee Charlie Richmond appeared to give the goal but then awarded a penalty kick for a foul by the United player.

Gretna defender Birch scored from the spot kick and the Third Division side were back in the tie.

But in the 55th minute the visitors regained their two-goal lead after a long ball by defender Alan Archibald put Crawford through on goal.

The Scottish international lobbed the ball over Mathieson from just inside the penalty area for his first goal in United colours.

However, the game took another dramatic twist in the 62nd minute when Gretna grabbed a wonderful third goal.

There seemed no problem when Skelton picked the ball up 30 yards from goal but the midfielder hammered an unstoppable shot into the top corner past the helpless Bullock

The home side continued to press for the equaliser and only a good save from Bullock when Deuchar was through on goal in the 82nd minute prevented an astonishing leveller.

It was a relieved United who held on to go into the fourth round.

Teams

Gretna Mathieson, Birch (Smith 82), Irons, Aitken, McQuilken, Baldacchino (Prokas 34), McGuffie, Gilfillan, Skelton, Bingham, Deuchar.

Subs Not Used: Main, Wake, Grainger.

Booked: Mathieson, Aitken.

Goals: Deuchar 41, Birch 49 pen, Skelton 62.

Dundee Utd Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, Ritchie, Archibald, Kerr, Grady, McInnes, Robson (Mair 84), Crawford, McIntyre.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Scotland, Brebner, Robertson.

Booked: McInnes, McIntyre.

Goals: Robson 4, Kerr 7, Wilson 21 pen, Crawford 56.

Att: 3,000

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).