Airdrie Utd 0-2 Dundee Utd
Last updated on .From the section Football
Dundee United moved into the last eight of the Scottish Communities League Cup with a convincing win over Second Division Airdrie at New Broomfield.
Ryan Dow took advantage of a mistake by Diamonds keeper Paul McKane to put the Tayside team ahead after 11 minutes.
Ryan Donnelly squandered Airdrie's best chance, hitting the side netting in 22 minutes after rounding Dusan Pernis.
Skipper Jon Daly sealed the win for Dundee United when he met Paul Dixon's cross at the back post in 76 minutes.
United's opener came about when keeper McKane spilled Stuart Armstrong's weak shot after a surging run and Dow pounced to round the keeper and knock the ball over the line for his first goal for the club.
The visitors pushed the young Airdrie side back for the first half hour, with McKane, a fitness doubt prior to kick-off, called upon to keep his team in the competition.
But the Diamonds did have a few sniffs of goal in the first half.
Midway through the half Donnelly was played in behind the United defence but after rounding Pernis the angle was too acute and he fired just wide.
United were stroking the ball around with ease in midfield but were not creating the chances they had early in the game and Airdrie looked the likelier side to score as the first period drew to a close.
John Boyle came the closest, but after Garry Kenneth's sliced clearance had fallen perfectly for the striker he fired across Pernis and wide of the far post.
Despite the miss, it was at least a sign that Jimmy Boyle's players had listened to his plea for them to go out and enjoy the occasion.
After the break, the game reverted to the pattern established in the first half, with Dundee United generally with the upper hand but unable to relax against a lively Airdrie side.
Willo Flood crossed from the right in 65 minutes for Lauri Dalla Valle, who thumped a volley at goal from eight yards but McKane made a fine save.
Dixon made a great run down the left wing and swung the ball over to Daly who side-footed his team into a two-goal lead to all but end any chance of an upset.
The win means United are through to the last eight of the tournament despite having played only one game.
Peter Houston's side missed out on earlier rounds because of their participation in Europa League qualifying.
Airdrie United manager Jimmy Boyle: "I'm really pleased. They started very sharply, their pace and tempo was good.
"We lost a poor goal but we dusted ourselves down and started playing good passes through the middle of the park and into our strikers who were excellent."
Dundee United manager Peter Houston: "Airdrie were great at times. I am delighted to go through because we couldn't win coming here.
"Our attitude was spot-on, I thought we worked very hard and we had to work hard.
"I give all the credit to Airdrie. I thought they were excellent and I was always worried about them getting an equaliser so I was delighted to see the second one go in.
"I had the option of (bringing on) the young boy Keanu (Marsh-Brown) or the experience of Daly and I think Daly helped the side because once he got on we got better and tempered their threat a bit.
"His experience is good for us and he is actually a good link-up player and not just a big lump up front."
