ICTFC 0 DUFC 1

United hold a slim but important advantage after the first leg of the Scottish Premiership Playoff Semi-Final, with a Paul McMullan goal separating the sides.

We'll start with the decision that changed the game, the sending off. I though it was harsh. Very harsh. Yes the boot was raised but the head was lowered and he didn't go in with his studs or anything like that. I always apply the BTG rule - if that went against my team, how would I feel? And i'd have been very unhappy with that if we had lost a man for that.

Up to that point it had been a game with a few chances for both sides. The first half really shouldn't have finished goalless, with Caley hitting the woodwork and United having a chance cleared off the line, with a couple of other really good chances after that for both sides. After the sending off the game lost what quality it had, and while United created a couple of chances I was worried the breakthrough wasn't going to come, but come it did through Clark hitting the post and McMullan being on hand to finish (again off the post).

It really puts us in the driving seat for the return at Tannadice on Friday night, but I would have felt more comfortable with at least one more goal against 10 men. What will help us is that ICT had to play a chunk of the game with a man down and they were already starting to look leggy as the game wore on. Hopefully they'll be knackered on Friday.

A word on the players, he started with Sow up top and Pawlett in behind. I'm not sure I understand that when neither player looks particularly fit and neither player has really contributed much. Pav Safranko being shuttled wide didn't really work and for me he should be up front - the Slovak went off at half time and hopefully he's fit for Friday. The positive is that Clark seems to always contribute off the bench and maybe that's why he doesn't start - he's the only one who contributes as and when he comes off the bench.

McMullan however has really upped his game in recent weeks and, having really written him off earlier in the season, he's showing that he can be the driving force for us getting promoted. He was on the right this week but he can also be effective centrally so he provides us with a good option.

It's a pleasing start to what will hopefully be a massive two weeks.

Mon the Terrors