Football: Philliben's last-ditch effort stuns Tannadice

Dundee United. .2

Brewster 41, 56

Motherwell. . . 2

Kirk 31, Philliben 90

Attendance: 12,023

CRAIG BREWSTER, Dundee United's powerfully-built striker, has now scored three times against Motherwell on successive Saturdays and still he has not finished on the winning side.

Last week Motherwell won their Premier Division match at Tannadice 2-1. Brewster's 12th and 13th goals of the season arrived yesterday, but still he left with his head bowed. Motherwell scored first and last to take this fourth-round Scottish Cup tie to a replay at Fir Park on Tuesday week.

All of United's players, in fact, looked as though they had lost the tie. Their depression was caused by the fact that Motherwell equalised so late, two minutes into injury-time.

United had only themselves to blame because after going 2-1 ahead they should have continued to press, instead of allowing Motherwell to cause panic around Guido Van der Kamp's goal.

Motherwell had seemed determined to continue where they left off last week, and United could easily have lost two early goals. Paul Lambert had two good attempts, both flying just inches wide.

The visitors took the lead after 31 minutes when Steve Kirk was alert enough to spring back to his feet after Brian Welsh had blocked the striker's first attempt.

But United pulled level four minutes from the break after some excellent power-play by Jim McInally on the left. When he reached the byline he cut the ball back perfectly for Brewster to score.

Brewster's second goal was scored 11 minutes into the second half. The striker took Paddy Connolly's cross on his chest, turned swiftly and beat Sieb Dykstra easily.

Motherwell should have scored their equaliser sooner. Paul McGrillen, a second-half substitute for Paul Lambert, was pulled down inside the box after 73 minutes. But Tommy Coyne's penalty kick was splendidly saved by Van der Kamp, who dived full length to his right.

United felt then that they would be entering the quarter- final draw, which will take place after this afternoon's Edinburgh derby between Hibernian and Hearts.

Motherwell, though, would not be denied. As the referee checked his watch for the last time, John Philliben, their stalwart defender, took full advantage after Van der Kamp appeared to have dropped the ball, which was promptly smacked into the roof of the net.