LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE

TERRORS MARCH ON Goal blitz after break fires Tannadice men into semis

RAY McKINNON hailed his troops after Dundee United booked their place in the Premiership play-off semi-final by destroying Morton at Tannadice.

A second-half goal blitz from Simon Murray, Wato Kuate and Blair Spittal overwhelmed Jim Duffy’s Ton

RAY McKINNON’S men produced a second-half goal blitz to maul Morton and set up a semi-final showdown with Falkirk.

Dundee United turned up the heat after the break with a goal from Simon Murray in 52 minutes before Wato Kuate’s stunning 63rd-minute drive ensured their place in Tuesday’s first-leg clash at Tannadice.

Blair Spittal’s clincher 10 minutes from time completed the rout.

Jim Duffy’s valiant Morton side ran out of steam towards the end but can be proud of their efforts after finishing fourth against all the odds.

United were looking for an early goal to kill the tie having fought back to win 2-1 at Cappielow.

Jamie Robson overcame a back injury to take his place at full-back for United with midfielder Scott Fraser on the bench as he returns from a broken foot.

Morton made a change in goal as Jamie McGowan replaced Derek Gaston who dropped to the bench while on-loan Celtic ace Aidan Nesbitt, Kudus Oyenuga and Michael Doyle were all handed starts.

The Cappielow men had taken an early lead in the first leg but United created the first real chance in 11 minutes.

Stewart Murdoch’s raking pass picked out Thomas DUNDEE UTD WIN 5-1 ON AGG Mikkelsen and the Danish striker did well to control the ball on his chest.

He turned swiftly and his low shot meant McGowan had to look lively to gather with both hands.

Then midway through the first half Murdoch went on a surging run down the right before feeding Murray.

As the Ton defence backed off, Murray pulled a shot across the face of the goal only for Mikkelsen to just miss out on applying the finishing touch at the far post.

Shortly after, Mikkelsen tried his luck again with a powerful 25-yard effort McGowan was relieved to see fly over his bar by inches.

Morton tried to hit back and just after the half-hour, United stopper William Edjenguele became the first player booked for hauling back Gary Oliver who was about to get in behind the home defence.

In 36 minutes though the Tangerines came closest to making the breakthrough when Murdoch’s free-kick was headed on by Mark Durnan and Tony Andreu’s header was brilliantly turned wide by McGowan with his fingertips to leave the Taysiders frustrated.

United adopted a more cavalier approach at the start of the second half that paid off within minutes.

Andreu fed Murdoch whose high ball into the box allowed targetman Mikkelsen to ruffle the Morton centre-backs.

Skipper O’Ware was at fault as he headed the ball down to Murray who gratefully slammed it high past McGowan who found himself helpless.

But Morton did have a glorious chance to level a few minutes later.

This time Nesbitt’s cross was inch-perfect for Oyenuga but the big striker nodded high over the bar with just Cammy Bell to beat.

And they were made to pay for that glaring miss when Kuate struck in spectacular fashion in 63 minutes.

The Cameroon ace, who only signed in March until the end of the season, picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and had no hesitation in letting fly with an unstoppable effort that nestled in McGowan’s right-hand corner.

That was tie over and soon United began to turn on the style as they started to turn their attention towards Tuesday night’s semi-final against the Bairns.

Charlie Telfer replaced midfield lynchpin Willo Flood to save the inspirational Irishman’s legs for next week.

However, they still weren’t finished as Spittal latched on to Murray’s cross and rounded off the sparkling performance with a low volley from 10 yards.

Bell 6, Durnan 5 , Spittal 7 , Murdoch 6, Murray 6 (Coote 81, 1 ), Edjenguele 6, Flood 6 (Telfer 65, 1), Kuate 7, Mikkelsen 7, Andreu 7, Robson 6. Not used: Dixon, Donaldson, Zwick, Allardice.

McGowan 6, Lamie 6, O’Ware 5, Doyle 5, Oliver 6, Forbes 6 (Tidder 62,1) , Oyenuga 5, Lindsay 5 (Shankland 68, 2 ), Nesbitt 6 (McDonagh 72, 1 ), Russell 5, Murdoch 6. Not used: Gaston, Scullion, Tiffoney, Strapp.

Andrew Dallas.

CRACKING KUATE FIRED-UP FORM

DUNDEE UNITED – MORTON – Referee:

ROUT RIGHT WIN Jubilant Spittal after his goal followed opener from Murray and Kuate’s cracker, above Wato Kuate is a player in the making. The 21-year-old’s superb goal was proof enough. Dundee United are back to best top form at just the right time...