For Dundee fans, the search for omens suggesting this could finally be their year has often felt interminable. Now they’ve one to dearly cling onto.
Not since 1956 have followers of the Dark Blues been allowed to cherish a victory over Dundee United in the Scottish Cup.
After this narrow but deserved win over their city rivals, the hope will be it proves to be a purposeful first stride on a historic road.
From the moment Hibernian ended their own 114-year wait to raise the famous old piece of silverware again back in 2016, an unwanted baton was passed to the Dens Park outfit.
This season marks 115 years since this famous club enjoyed its one and only triumph in this tournament — by some distance now the longest barren spell of any top-flight club to have cradled the trophy.
They have certainly earned the right to dream that such an unwanted tag can be ripped off and passed on come May 24.
Simon Murray heads in the only goal of the game after just 58 seconds at Dens Park
Tony Docherty celebrates Dundee’s first Scottish Cup win against United since 1956
Declan Gallagher cuts a frustrated figure after United’s failure to score a late equaliser
Dundee also enjoyed exacting their revenge here. They felt hard done by in the league game at their place at the start of this month, losing a tight affair from a goal up.
The pain of that evening made the joy they felt all the sweeter.
There’s a character to Tony Docherty’s side that many fellow managers must envy.
That previous loss to United was tough, but the response was hugely impressive — a win at McDiarmid Park and back-to-back draws with the Old Firm on home soil which might well have been more.
Settled by Simon Murray’s strike in 58 seconds, this game turned into a battle of wills. In the end, Dundee showed enough mettle to prevail.
This was a bitter blow for Jim Goodwin and his players. They made the short walk up the street exuding the kind of optimism which comes from sitting third in the top division. Yet, they did not impose themselves on their opponents until the game was running away from them.
Murray’s penalty conversion against United at the start of this year had meant little in the end as United came from behind to win. The striker’s start to this match was that of a man with a point to prove.
United were convinced the ball grazed the boot of Lyall Cameron meaning Dundee should not have been awarded a corner in the first minute. They might well have had a point. Nonetheless, their defending of the set-piece was lamentable.
Finlay Robertson’s delivery purposefully dropped shy of the near post. Aware of the plan, Murray made his move towards the ball knowing only the most perfect connection would do.
The forward could scarcely have executed a better header. With no margin for error, it flew backwards and flashed into the net past Jack Walton.
It set the tone. Dundee were brighter in everything they did. With Mohamed Sylla providing assurance in front of the defence, Cameron and Cesar Garza carried the ball forward.
The service to Seun Adewumi and Murray was plentiful. Docherty’s only gripe would have been that his front pair did not do more with it.
United lacked authority and imagination. Louis Moult and Sam Dalby were largely forced to feed off scraps. Goodwin cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as the half wore on.
Aaron Donnelly came close to putting the Dark Blues two goals ahead when he connected with another Robertson delivery and Murray ought to have doubled his side’s advantage when he spun on the ball six yards out. Emmanuel Adegboyega was able to make a routine clearance after the forward got his feet in a tangle.
It said much about United’s flat display that their only openings of note in the first period were a pair of headers from Ross Graham, a central defender.
Picked out by Vicko Sevelj’s chip, Graham failed to even hit the target while unmarked. Although he’d a couple of Dundee players for company at his second chance, he still had to work Trevor Carson in goal.
The fact there was a little more life to the visitors in the second half was no surprise. Nor was the display of Cameron for Dundee.
Out of contract in the summer, his classy performance here will only have added to the number of admirers. He should, though, have put the game out of United’s reach early in the second half.
Murray made for the byline and cut the ball back. Adewumi ran over it with Cameron invited to take the net off the posts. He only succeeded in finding the stand with a rising strike.
United sub Kristijan Trapanovski gave Kevin Holt a view of the target. His shot was straight at the keeper. Then, thrown on for his debut, Ruari Paton had a certain goal denied by Ethan Ingram before Declan Gallagher’s header was tipped over.
Trapanovski also cracked the bar deep into injury time.
United pushed and pushed, but, this time, it was just not to be. At long last Dundee were able to savour their moment.
Dundee (3-4-3): Carson 7; Astley 7, Robertson 7, Donnelly 7; Ingram 7, Sylla 7, Garza 7.5 (Samuels 84), Robertson 7; Cameron 7, Murray 7.5, Adewumi 6.5 (Palmer-Houlden 66). Booked: Ingram, Cameron, Sylla.
Manager: Tony Docherty 7.
Dundee United (3-4-1-2): Walton 6; Graham 5.5 (Van der Sande 84), Gallagher 6, Holt 6; Strain 6 (Middleton 71), Adegboyega 6 (Trapanovski 71), Sevelj 6, Ferry 6; Stephenson 6; Dalby 5, Moult 5 (Paton 71).
Booked: None.
Manager: Jim Goodwin 6.
Referee: Matthew MacDermid 7.
Attendance: 11,000.
