United through thanks to Andreu
STRANRAER 0 DUNDEE UTD 1 Andreu (68)
RAY MCKINNON saluted match winner Tony Andreu after the on-loan hitman headed Dundee United into the quarter-finals.
The game seemed to be heading for a goalless stalemate and extra time before the Norwich City man rose highest to head home Paul Dixon’s cross.
The single goal proved enough for the Tannadice side and McKinnon hailed Andreu, who made it six goals in six games.
The manager said: “Stranraer are at home and have got nothing to lose in this game and can throw caution to the wind.
“They have done great today and made us work for it but they make a lot of teams work for it.
“It’s a very tough place to come but when we have got somebody like Tony Andreu, who is such an absolute quality player.
“He just popped up with that one bit of quality in the game and it is a fantastic header.
“He is worth his weight in gold to us right now and we are delighted to have him but that is what you get from a quality player like Tony.
“We’ve got him for the full season and that is six goals for him.
“I thought it was a bit like Pele and that header against Gordon Banks but this time it went in.
“For such a small lad, it is an incredible header.”
It was a game of few chances, with the majority coming in the first half.
United’s top scorer Simon Murray was the first to carve out an opportunity after he seized on some slack home defending.
However, goalkeeper Cameron Belford was up to the challenge and palmed away the striker’s low shot from inside the box.
It marked the start of a period of sustained pressure for the visitors, who came within inches of breaking the deadlock moments later.
This time there was nothing Belford could do as Andreu’s 25-yard free-kick cannoned back off the right upright.
Murray then flicked a header wide before it was Stranraer’s turn to come close to scoring.
Willie Gibson had already proven dangerous on the left flank without being able to conjure up the final ball.
However, he went it alone on 26 minutes when he beat two defenders before
his curling shot was palmed to safety by Luis Zwick.
The second half was a more drab affair with little in the way of genuine goalmouth action. However, the visitors were increasingly getting room on the left and it was no surprise the winner would come from that flank.
Dixon’s cross was inch-perfect for Andreu, who rose unmarked to nod beyond a helpless Belford.
Stranraer pushed to get something from the game and threw on Frank McKeown and Christian Nade in the closing stages.
But they could not find a way through with Nade blazing over a stoppage time volley.
Home boss Brian Reid felt his side were far from outclassed but undone by a moment of genuine quality.
He said: “Overall, I think it was a decent game for one that was heading for 0-0.
“Just that wee bit of quality was the difference in the end.
“I’m not displeased with the effort, obviously disappointed with the result, but if we keep working as hard as that and keep putting the effort and commitment in, these performances will turn into wins.”