Match Report
The major talking point in Ian McCall's starting eleven was the inclusion of Jamie Adams. With Adams on loan from Kilmarnock it was thought that he would be prevented from playing thus preventing him from being cup-tied. Adams' inclusion meant that manager Ian McCall elected to make just one change from the side that had defeated Morton on Monday night. An impressive second half performance from Mark Corcoran earning him a start with Liam Buchanan dropping to the bench.
The game nearly had a goal before people had properly settled in to the match. As early as the 4th minute Jonny Tuffey was called into action and he did well to claw the ball round the post after an attempted clearance from Alan Archibald had flown towards his own goal.
Thistle first serious raid on the United goal came after 9 minutes when Alan Archibald, pushing forward from the back, saw his driven cross grabbed hold of by a grateful Dusan Pernis inside his six yard box.
Thistle beginning to settle where close again in the 12th minute. Mark Corcoran did well to earn Thistle their first corner of the game. Simon Donnelly's corner ewas headed back towards goal to Ian Maxwell but his header was straight at Pernis.
In the 16th minute Thistele could and may well have should have taken the lead. Alan Archibald was enjoying some success coming forward down the left and his chipped cross to the back post picked out Simon Donnelly and he may feel that he should have done better than head over the bar.
A minute later it was United's turn to spurn a great chance to take the lead. Damian Casalinuovo found himself clear with just Jonny Tuffey to beat but the Thistle keeper got down well to keep the shot out.
In the 26th minute United took the lead in hugely controversial circumstances. A Driven shot from Garry Kenneth appeared to to be turned into the net by the hand of Damian Casalinuovo. Just about everyone in the stadium expected the goal to be ruled out but to a initial stunned silence referee McDonald gave the goal. Jonny Tuffey's protests earning him a yellow card.
No doubt spurred on my a sense of injustice Thistle twice came close to an equalising goal in the immediate aftermath of the United goal. Ian Maxwell lashing a shot high over the bar and Steve Lovell testing Pernis at his near post.
With half-time five minutes away Thistle were again close to levelling the scores. A 20 yard shot from Simon Donnelly just dipping a fraction too late.
United themselves were close to a goal before halftime with Kovacevic nearly squeezing in a shot at Tuffey's near post.
There was a strong feeling that the next goal in this match would be an all important and in the 52nd minute Thistle were close to scoring it. Mark Corcoran was able to wriggle his way from the attention of a couple of United defenders but his shot from the edge of the box was always on the rise.
A second United goal, however, and it would have been a long way back for Thistle and Casalinuovo nearly dealt Thistle's cup hopes a near fatal blow in the 63rd minute when after turning sharply he could only hit the side netting with his shot.
United were defending well and keeping Thistle's opportunities to a minimum but Thistle were a whisker away from an equaliser in the 72nd minute. Paul Paton did really well to pick out an umarked Liam Buchanan with a cross but Buchanan couldn't direct his header wide of the imposing frame of Dusan Pernis.
Thistle were close again in the 80th minute. Mark Corcoran was able to help the ball into the path of Liam Buchanan but Buchanan could only snatch at the chance, didn't make proper contact and was frustrated to see his shot go wide of goal.
Time was all but up when United sealed their spot in the next round. David Goodwillie squeezing the ball home from a tight angle.
