Relief for Ray as Andreu finds that little bit extra
RELIEVED Ray McKinnon hailed new boy Tony Andreu as his dramatic extra-time winner edged Dundee United through to the fourth round of the IrnBru Cup at the expense of part-time Peterhead.
Andreu only signed for the Tangerines on loan from Norwich City on transfer window deadline day earlier in the week, but the former Hamilton hitman wasted no time in making an instant impact with a debut goal with just four minutes of extra-time remaining to deny the League One side a penalty shoot-out.
Tannadice manager McKinnon praised the 28-year-old Frenchman’s heroics, saying: ‘It’s great for Tony. We know he can score goals and he could probably have had two or three today.
‘He’s going to be a great signing for us.
‘He’s got great ability and there’s no doubt he will sniff out goals.
‘We’re delighted to be in the next round.’
Charlie Telfer’s quickfire opener inside the first minute got McKinnon’s men off to a flier but Rory McAllister levelled in 29 minutes before Nick van der Velden put the hosts back in front in 34 minutes — only for McAllister to make it 2-2 in 35 minutes.
Peterhead reached the final last season, where they lost 4-0 to Rangers, and they had McAllister leading their line just weeks after the striker rejected a move to Tannadice.
But it was the hosts who got off to a rapid start, van der Velden teeing up Telfer to let fly from 25 yards and leave Blue Toon keeper Fraser Hobday helpless as the ball nestled in the top corner.
However, the League One side levelled the scores just before the half hour.
Ryan Baptie slipped in McAllister and he calmly sent a textbook finish low past Luis Zwick and into his far corner.
Parity didn’t last long, however, and United restored their lead five minutes later.
Van der Velden picked up possession inside the box and quickly made space for himself before firing a shot low past Hobday.
But the goals were coming thick and fast, with the Blue Toon levelling 60 seconds later.
Former Dundee striker Leighton McIntosh went on a brilliant run down the right and his cross found McAllister, whose powerful header found the net.
McAllister almost had his hat-trick midway through the second half, but Lewis Toshney blocked his shot.
Simon Murray then hit the bar with a header with 14 minutes left on the clock.
But the home side sealed matters in extra-time when Blair Spittal’s cross allowed Andreu to nod home the winner.