Vows Dundee boss as rivals land last-16 rematch
with Mark Durnan and Scott Allardice replacing Jamie Robson and Matthew Smith.
United were first to threaten when Sam Stanton aimed a 25-yard effort wide in five minutes.
O’Hara then steered in a header following Kevin Holt’s corner but Harry Lewis in the United goal was equal to the task.
It was fast and furious with neither side able to find any real fluency.
That changed in 30 minutes when the influential Allan played in Paul McGowan down the left and O’Hara bulleted in another header which Southampton loanee Lewis clutched well.
Dundee had a real let-off in 32 minutes when King’s 18-yard drive crashed off the post.
Darren O’Dea then received the first yellow card for upending sorely missed in my opinion. I don’t take any satisfaction in not being able to play United.
“I know what it’s like to play in derbies.
“Headlines can be sensationalised. I don’t mind saying that – I said swagger.
“I am not being arrogant or disrespectful. They should feel McMullan in 35 minutes before keeper Scott Bain beat away King’s ferocious free-kick.
Allan fired a wayward effort over in 40 minutes but it was United who took the lead just before the interval with a brilliant counter-attack.
Tam Scobbie raced upfield and shunted the ball to Fraser who played in Stanton out wide.
His low centre across the face of goal saw McMullan nip in at the back post and apply an angled touch past Bain.
Wagner was introduced to the home support at the break but it was the United fans who were almost singing again in 54 minutes when McMullan teed up King. Unfortunately for the visiting support he dragged his shot wide.
Dundee thought they had good about themselves at all times. They retained their Premiership status when it looked like we were on the way down after seven defeats.
“It’s important they know they have made it into the next round and we can’t wait for Ross County in the league now.”
Meanwhile, United manager equalised in 55 minutes when Allan’s shot was deflected into the net by the head of Moussa but it was correctly ruled offside.
It was end-to-end stuff now and Dundee finally got back on level terms in 60 minutes and it was no surprise Allan was the architect.
He picked out O’Hara in the box and although the midfielder appeared to scuff his effort it bounced past Bain from 12 yards.
Deacon drove in a shot that brought out the best in Lewis and Holt had another effort saved by the keeper as the Dark Blues piled on the pressure.
That was the cue for McKinnon to introduce McDonald shortly after El Bakhtaoui replaced O’Hara for Dundee.
Randy Wolters swung a cross into the box and Deacon went Ray McKinnon insists the Tangerines have nothing to fear heading back to the lion’s den for the second time in 10 days.
However, he refused to be drawn into a war of words with McCann.
He said: “I’d rather it was at Tannadice but there’s nothing to fear coming here. Dundee are a down under pressure from Scobbie with the home fans wrongly screaming for a spot-kick.
Deacon then slammed the ball off Lewis in injury time before sub Jack Hendry’s glancing header struck a post.
Penalties beckoned and it was United’s day courtesy of Deacon’s fluffed kick. Boss McCann, however, refused to point the finger at his player.
He said: “I’m disappointed not to win the group as we deserved to win the game. Ultimately it is about getting through. I am sad for Roarie as he is feeling it but he was terrific.
“Once he gets to grips with Scottish football he’ll cause problems for defenders.” good side but we’ve shown we can go out and play.
“I don’t pay attention to what is said. People asked me but it’s about what we do.
“I told my players, ‘We concentrate on how we want to play and don’t get entangled in what others are saying.’
“That has always been my motto throughout my career in the game.
“I’ve had it all week, about how important it was to win after the last time we came here.
“I wasn’t there and I don’t worry about that.
“We just had to perform and we certainly did that. I’m proud of the boys after that display.” goal was a long time coming. It was a hard game but a win is a win.
“I suppose I couldn’t have picked a better time to score and I really hope it will be a spark for me to get a few more this season.
“We didn’t panic. We kept playing, trying to find a way to break them down and I was always sure we would find a way.
“Although we found it hard on Saturday we are more of a threat this season with Blair Spittal coming in.
“He is working well with Chris Erskine, Kris Doolan and Stevie Lawless.
“The front four are always moving and understand each other’s games so we need to keep getting the ball to them and stay on form.”