Flashback Cup agony for Saints at Tannadice
In today’s Flashback, we look back on an eventful cup clash between St Mirren and Dundee United in February 2014, ahead of their match tomorrow in Paisley.
Ryan Gauld and Nadir Ciftci sent St Mirren crashing out of the Scottish Cup at Tannadice, despite a gutsy performance at Tannadice from the Paisley men.
The hard-working Saints had hauled themselves back into the fifth round tie after Kenny McLean’s cool penalty cancelled out Gauld’s opener.
But a defensive lapse early in the second half allowed United’s Turkish forward Ciftci to head the Tayside team into the quarter finals.
Danny Lennon was forced to make three changes from the Buddies’ last match, against Celtic at Parkhead.
Out went cup- tied duo Josh Magennis and Gregg Wylde, while midfield dynamo John McGinn was suspended.
The Saints boss handed a debut to former Manchester United star Eric Djemba-Djemba, with the Cameroon star taking his place in the middle of the park.
And the travelling Paisley fans welcomed their new signing by wearing flatcaps in his honour of the former Manchester Utd midfielder’s flamboyant fashion sense.
Saints were on the front foot from the off and the game was just 90 seconds old when former Dundee United ace Steven Thompson stung the palms of Radoslav Cierzniak with a shot from 18 yards.
However, that was the cue for the home side to grab the initiative.
On three minutes, Stuart Armstrong saw Marian Kello smother his fierce drive and, moments later, Gary Mackay-Steven skipped past Conor Newton and centred for Armstrong, but the United skipper dragged his 10-yard effort wide of the post.
With a quarter of an hour on the clock, Mackay-Steven broke into the box, but a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Darren McGregor saved the day.
Steven Thompson was booked for a clumsy challenge on John Rankin soon after.
The home side grabbed the lead with 21 minutes on the clock. Ciftci played a low cross into the middle and Ryan
Gauld turned it home from close range.
United’s Andy Robertson was then booked for a lunging foul on Jason Naismith before Saints were level just two minutes later.
Mark Wilson tripped McLean in the box and the Scotland Under-21 cap dusted himself down before coolly sending Cierzniak the wrong way with the kick.
Saints were deservedly back on level terms, but the next big opportunity fell to the Arabs, and Kello had to look lively to save from Ciftci.
Just two minutes before the break, Kello pulled off another excellent save from Ciftci, this time after the Turkish striker had wrong-footed the big keeper with a header. Somehow, though, Kello adjusted his stance to claw the ball to safety.
It was same again Saints after the break, but the home side regained the lead five minutes in.
Winger Mackay-Steven crossed to the back post where Ciftci headed past Kello under little pressure.
Saints tried hard to work their way back into the game and, with an hour on the clock, Goodwin saw a longrange effort clear the bar.
Naismith then whipped a high ball into the box, but Thompson’s header was too high.
The big centre forward was then hauled down 25 yards from goal, but McLean’s free kick was tame and Cierzniak gathered easily.
Lennon then made his first change of the game, replacing the tiring Djemba- Djemba with Gary Teale, returning from injury.
The former Scotland cap immediately caused panic in the home defence when he sent in a wicked cross, which was eventually cleared.
Saints were awarded a free kick on 77 minutes when John Rankin scythed down McLean, but Goodwin’s effort hit the defensive wall.
Moments later, Mackay-Steven fouled Naismith – his third in 10 minutes – and from Teale’s free kick, Thompson’s header brought out a fine save in Cierzniak.
Goodwin was incensed moments later when a blatant dive by MackaySteven brought no punishment from referee Thomson.
Saints’ last chance fell to Darren McGregor late on, but his 12-yard drive hit the side netting.