Devastation as Tangerines downed at Dens

Dundee United are relegated from the Scottish Premiership as Dundee come from behind to snatch a last-gasp derby win at Dens Park.

Dundee United fans were left devastated last night, after defeat at Dens Park saw them relegated from the Ladbrokes Premiership.

After leading for part of the second-half, two Dundee goals in the last 15 minutes saw the Arabs consigned to the Scottish Championship next season.

The atmosphere heading in to the ground was one of relative calm, with both sets of supporters making their way to their respective ends amid a strong, proportional presence from Police Scotland.

Horse-mounted officers stood tall between the home support and the entrance to the away stand, the mood being more jovial than fans of the game from other cities with such strong rivalries might expect.

There were reports that disillusioned United fans stormed on to the pitch after the final whistle, demanding that Stephen Thompson leave his position as chairman of the Dundee United board.

For others, the thought of staying until the end proved too much, with droves of distraught supporters leaving the stadium early and missing the winning goal.

One Dundee United fan, who did not wish to be named, said the performance summed up the entire season.

He said: “The club has gone to the pits. Stephen Thompson has dragged this team to hell and back.

“His father ( the late Eddie Thompson) must be turning in his grave.”

Lorraine Bullions and Liz Flynn, two lifelong United supporters, said they were devastated to have been relegated at Dens.

At the other end, Dundee fans celebrated as if they had lifted the Scottish Cup, chanting and cheering well in to the brisk May night.

Delighted Dees said they had waited years for an opportunity to see their rivals suffer the ignominy of relegation.

Picture: Kris Miller. Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson, centre, watches his team suffer relegation at Dens Park last night.

Pictures: Kris Miller/SNS Group. Dundee United fans await their team’s fate against Dundee at Dens Park, left, while, above, relegation is too much to bear for this young supporter.

Francesco Davi and Debora Sacco, both from Sicily, after enjoying their first Dundee derby. “We both really enjoyed the game. It was our first time at a Dundee v Dundee United game. The atmosphere was incredible and the last quarter of the match was...

Picture: Kris Miller. Dundee United manager Mixu Paatelainen shows his agony at Dens last night.