A touch of class from skipper Barry Robson booked Dundee United's place in the Scottish Cup fifth round after a tight battle at Broadwood.

The game livened up after a dull first half but Robson's swerving 30-yard strike in the 57th minute was several levels above the rest of the contest.

Gary Arbuckle had a good chance to open the scoring for Clyde and they battled to the end but it is United who will face St Mirren at Love Street in the next round.

The match had fallen victim to the frozen weather at the weekend, which threatened both teams' share of the £165,000 TV fee.

However, Sky Sports found a place on their schedule following some sustained lobbying by the Irn-Bru First Division side.

Clyde had risen to the occasion the last time their cameras were at Broadwood by knocking Celtic out the competition and most of that side remain two years on.

Despite sitting second bottom of the First Division, Colin Hendry's side fancied their chances of creating another upset after going on a six-match unbeaten run before the new year.

They began brightly and Lee Wilkie had to be alert to cut out a low cross by Michael McGowan.

United settled and Chris Higgins was fortunate to escape punishment when he appeared to bring down Robson after he got in behind him.

The Clyde defender was booked for a late tackle on Robson moments later and United created the first opening when Jordan Robertson's lay-off found Noel Hunt in space 10 yards out. However, David Hutton dived to his near post to touch his low effort wide.

Higgins had another let-off when Charlie Richmond kept his cards in his pocket after penalising him for handball.

Clyde had a shooting chance when Wilkie brought down Ruari MacLennan 20 yards out but Stevie Masterton blasted the free-kick straight into the United wall.

Wilkie was then booked for a late tackle that left Dougie Imrie lying on the track. The challenge was typical of a game that had more brawn than brain.

Play was concentrated in the middle third and lone striker Robertson was struggling to link up with the five-man United midfield.

But the SPL side should have scored two minutes before the break when Robson's inswinging cross found Willo Flood unmarked six yards out. The Irishman somehow glanced his free header just wide.

An optimist on the Clyde staff played the Champions League theme tune as the players came out for the second half but the game did improve markedly.

Flood had a low shot saved before Clyde had their best chance after Wilkie misjudged a long ball by Higgins.

Arbuckle waited for the ball to come down before striking a low effort, but McLean had the angle covered and parried as Kevin Bradley waited unmarked in the centre.

Flood had a curling 20-yard free-kick touched over by Hutton before McLean held Smith's back-post header following Imrie's cross.

But Clyde were undone by a moment of real quality. They sat off Robson as he turned 30 yards out and the United skipper lashed a powerful strike that swerved away from Hutton's despairing dive and into the far corner.

United looked to kill the game off and Wilkie headed over from close range before Robson had two more powerful long-range strikes saved well by Hutton.

But the underdogs never gave up and there were a few nervy moments for United. Darren Dods headed Michael McGowan's inswinging corner off the line and McLean held Craig McKeown's 25-yard volley.

Clyde pushed United back in the final stages but Craig Levein's men held on to leave Clyde with their money but no repeat of their giant-killing heroics.

Teams

Clyde Hutton, Neil McGregor, Smith, Higgins, McKeown,Masterton (David McGowan 72), Bradley, Ruari MacLennan,Arbuckle, Imrie, Michael McGowan.

Subs Not Used: Cherrie, Wilson, Bestvina, Roddy MacLennan.

Booked: Higgins, Smith.

Dundee Utd McLean, Dillon, Gomis, Wilkie, Dods, Flood, Kerr,Grainger, Jordan Robertson (Odhiambo 71), Hunt, Robson.

Subs Not Used: Zaluska, David Robertson, Conway, Swanson.

Booked: Wilkie.

Goals: Robson 57.

Att: 1,550

Ref: Charlie Richmond (Scotland).