Pawlett’s strike is only just enough for unconvincing United at Forfar
Pawlett’s second-halfstrike took Dundee United unconvincingly past Forfar and into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.
The League One’s bottom side gave as good as they got in the goalless first half at Station Park although United attacker Nicky Clark struck the woodwork with a free-kick.
Forfar’s harrying and hassling continued after the break but midfielder Pawlett’s low drive in the 55th minute was ultimately the difference in the 1-0 win, although United could could not shrug off the Loons.
United face Aberdeen or Livingston away in the quarterfinals and Micky Mellon’s side will have to improve if they are to go any further.
The home side, who could only muster four substitutes, immediately unsettled their
Premiership opponents and in the eighth minute striker Steven Doris fired over from a corner when he had time and space to be more considered with his finish.
In the 24th minute, United striker Lawrence Shankland latched on to Jamie Robson’s searching pass but Forfar keeper Marc Mccallum blocked the close-range effort with his leg before savpeter ing a Clark header. Just before half-time, Roberto Nditi fouled Clark 25 yards out and the former Rangers forward curled his free-kick off the junction of post and bar.
Ten minutes after the break, Calum Butcher’s drive missed by a yard but moments later, from a well-worked corner, Liam Smith squared to Pawlett and he fired past Mccallum and in off the post.