Coyle secures Premier place

Football: Dundee United 2 Partick Thistle 1 (After extra t ime; Dundee Utd win 3-2 on aggregate)

The agony and the ecstasy was there for all to see at Tannadice Park last night as Dundee United returned to Scotland's Premier Division at the expense of Partick Thistle - but only after a tense and dramatic play-off second leg which saw the home side come from behind to win in extra time.

Thistle had kept United at bay thanks to Nicky Walker, their goalkeeper. He displayed a cool head and quick reflexes on several occasions, but had to concede defeat 20 seconds from the end of normal time and five minutes before extra time finished.

Both United goals were stunning blows to Thistle, who had scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute. Nicky Henderson was bundled to the ground by Brian Welsh, and Ian Cameron buried the spot kick. Thistle held out manfully against ferocious United attacks but had to concede defeat in the 90th minute. A cross from Andy McLaren resulted in the ball bobbing about the penalty, with Welsh supplying the finish with his head.

Extra time saw Walker once again produce a couple of good saves, and it seemed as if the tie was destined for penalties until Owen Coyle knocked in another McLaren cross from six yards in the 115th minute.

Dundee United (4-4-2): Maxwell; Shannon, Pressley, Welsh, McQuilken; Winters (Johnson, 118), Bowman, Dailly, McLaren; McSwegan (Coyle, 84), Brewster (McKinnon, 119).

Partick Thistle (4-4-2): Walker; Milne, Slaven, Welsh, Watson; Smith, B McDonald, Lyons, McWilliams (Dinnie, 83); McCue (Henderson, 55), Cameron. Substitute not used: Cairns (gk).

Referee: L Mottram (Forth).