My only Crusade is to win the title
IRN BRU CUP Debut loss no downer as Laszlo puts league first
Csaba Laszlo last night shrugged off his embarrassing debut defeat and vowed he’ll have United flying for crunch league business.
The Hungarian’s Tannadice hotseat bow ended in failure as Irish part-timers Crusaders hit back to land a knockout blow.
Fraser Fyvie gave United the lead with a second-half belter but Dave Cushley levelled and Gavin Whyte hit a stunning stoppage-time winner.
The Taysiders lifted this trophy in March but now it’s all about the Championship title battle with Falkirk the first test facing Laszlo next Sunday.
The ex-Hearts boss said: “It’s better to lose this game and beat Falkirk in the league. It’s better to get this splash in the face now than against Falkirk.
“It wasn’t easy as this was the first time this team had played together and we were taking the competition seriously.
“But there’s no question, it’s so important to get a win in my first league game.
“Falkirk are a better team than Crusaders so we will get a full week’s training under our belts and get ready for Sunday.”
Laszlo made a host of changes f rom the side that beat St Mirren last weekend, giving starts to keeper Deniz Mehmet, Wi l l iam Edjenguele, Paul McMullan and kids Graham Taylor, Gavin Ritchie and Jordan Hornby. But his new side turned in a rotten f irst- half display and should have fallen behind in 35 minutes.
Fyvie lost possession inside his own half, allowing Cushley to race clean through but his chip was easily held by Mehmet.
Billy King replaced Scott Allardice at the break and set up the opener in 55 minutes, cutting infield and laying the ball off to Fyvie who rattled a 20-yarder into the top corner.
However, the Irish side levelled midway through the half when Cushley headed home Jamie Glackin’s corner.
King had a late shot tipped wide before Whyte sealed Crusaders’ semi-final spot by drilling low past Mehmet.
Gaffer Stephen Baxter said: “We’re thrilled to beat a top side like United, especially as we rested five or six key men.”