Pawlett produces to ensure United scrape past part-timers

Forfar Athletic Dundee United EUAN McARTHUR 1

PETER PAWLETT’S secondhalf strike helped Dundee United scrape past part-time Forfar as they set up a quarterfinal tie with either Aberdeen or Livingston. Pawlett produced his 56th-minute winner to spare Micky Mellon’s men’s blushes after the Premiership visitors had struggled to overcome the League One bottom side in this televised last-16 Station Park contest.

It proved just enough for the Tangerines who can now look forward to facing the winners of today’s Aberdeen and Livingston clash in their quest to replicate 2010 when they triumphantly lifted the trophy.

United keeper Benjamin Siegrist sustained an injury in the warm-up which meant Deniz Mehmet started between the sticks.

The hosts created the first opening in 10 minutes. Graeme Holmes’s corner picked out Steven Doris but his shot sailed high over the bar.

Former United keeper Marc McCallum was in goal for the hosts and he prevented their top-flight opponents from taking the lead midway through the first-half.

Jamie Robson’s diagonal pass found Lawrence Shankland who took a touch before McCallum raced off his line to block his close-range effort.

McCallum was called on again seven minutes before the break. This time he dived full-length to smother Clark’s downward header.

But United eventually took the lead in 56 minutes. Liam Smith slipped the ball to Pawlett who did the rest by firing a low 22-yard shot into the corner of the net via the post to ensure their passage into the next round.