FFC 1 DUFC 2 (3-4 on aggregate)

The dream lives on!

The mighty Terrors upset the odds and expectations and came through a tough and tense play off semi final with an excellent victory away at Falkirk, with only Hamilton standing in their way for a return to Scottish football's top flight.

You wouldn't have had many people putting money on this United side after Falkirk took an early lead, a shot from the edge of the box going in off the post to hand the Bairns the lead. My mate was quick to blame Paul Dixon but the blame was clearly on the midfield - Flood being pulled towards the ball, Kuate failing to cover and nobody was there to stop the midfield runner firing home.

In truth Falkirk were easily the better team in that first half and should have pressed on and killed the game off. However Peter Houston reverted to type and instead of looking for a second he tried to preserve the lead. And as regularly happened when he was manager at Tannadice, it failed to pay off.

United came roaring back in the second half and were led by the tireless work of Simon Murray. I've long said he's far from technically gifted but his workrate is sensational and he was a man possessed on Friday night. He was ably assisted by the equally tireless Willo Flood who, despite clearly suffering a hamstring injury, pushed the midfield on and brought the team back into the game.

United should have been level earlier. Edjenguele's effort crashed off the underside of the bar and over the line but it was wrongly ruled out for a foul. United pushed for a leveller as the half wore on and they were not to be denied. It was fitting that it was Murray who levelled, latching on to a flick on that the defender failed to cut out and rifling home.

The stage was set for a winner and it came from an unlikely source. Paul Dixon has been absolutely murder since he returned to the club but it was his looping, spinning header that sealed the win. Scenes.

Credit to the fans too. They were right behind the team from start to finish and the celebrations in the away end were fantastic to see.

So now it comes down to a double header with Hamilton. The Accies got a morale boosting win against the wee team across the road at the weekend and will be tough opposition. Playing the second leg on the plastic, a poor plastic at that, will add to the challenge. But we're there and, given all the ups and (mainly) downs we've had this season, I think all of us would have taken this at the start of the season if offered.

Mon the Terrors


On a separate note, BBC Alba screened the documentary 'Tannadice 87' on Saturday night, highlighting United's terrific run to the UEFA cup final, and it was absolutely terrific. I would recommend it to Arabs and non-Arabs alike. You can see it again on Alba on Friday night or get it on the iPlayer.

As someone said on twitter, what would you give to have that United team now, not just as an Arab but as a Scotsman? Almost every single one of them would walk into our national team now.