Young Tangerines out of cup

Craig Easton’s Dundee United side were dumped out of the Scottish Reserve League Cup yesterday after losing a seven-goal thriller at Hamilton yesterday.

The young Tangerines took the lead through a classy Mati Zata finish on nine minutes, only for former United man James Keatings to level on 16 minutes with a powerful strike past Josh Donaldson.

Accies took advantage of some extremely questionable refereeing as Ross Cunningham found the net from eight yards.

In an entertaining first half United levelled it up again on the half-hour mark, Scott Banks pouncing on a loose ball and finishing beyond Connelly in the Accies’ goal.

Adam Douglas was sent off for the hosts on 37 minutes after bringing down Declan Glass as he headed through on goal.

Ten minutes after the restart United edged in front through Scott Banks, with another clever finish with his left foot into the corner of the net.

United kept pressing and after Donaldson saved well from an Accies counter Keatings’ resulting corner was met by Jamie Hamilton who headed home at the back post.

With both teams then pressing for the winner, Accies’ Lewis Smith produced a fine solo run to burst clear and find the net.

With the goal coming on 86 minutes, it proved too late for United to find a response.

United – Donaldson, Wardrop, Reekie, Bollan, Graham, Inglis, Thomas, Zata, Glass, Banks, Appere. Subs (unused) – Currid, McArthur, Jones, Ward.