Close to a point of no return

Dundee United 1 - 1 Motherwell

McIntyre 69

McDonald 74

ANOTHER week of speculation at Dundee United, suggesting either Jim Jefferies or Billy Davies were waiting in the wings to replace Gordon Chisholm as manager within days, ended with Chisholm being bailed by another paltry SPL point.

The club was only able to hold on to the second-half lead Jim McIntyre had provided for five minutes before Scott McDonald's scrambled equaliser. .

Chisholm's demoralised side ended the game with 10 men after club captain Paul Ritchie let the frustration get to him enough to clash with Motherwell substitute David Clarkson, a misdemeanour which sees him unable to fight for his manager's future in next week's must- win instalment away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Of his club future, Chisholm said: "It is all speculation and rumour so that is how I will continue to treat it."

The most eloquent plea on his behalf came from Ritchie.

"Obviously it has become public that the gaffer's position is under scrutiny, but if we can keep showing that character and determination every week, there is no reason why we can't improve, " he said.

"We need a bit of stability for the football club. I think we showed character and determination in abundance, and in my opinion I don't think we need to change the manager."

Ritchie also argued against his sending-off. "I shouldn't have reacted, but when I was lying on the ground he took a kick at me, then when I went to say something to him he went towards me, " he said.

"I don't think the referee was going to do anything until the linesman got involved and saw it the other way round. I feel I was the innocent party in this, but the referee has made the decision and I just have to wait and see what happens about it."

Chisholm's predicament is in many ways analogous to that of Alex McLeish at Rangers, both men battling away with dignity against a deep-seated malaise in jobs many would argue they were ill-suited to in the first place.

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher meanwhile gave the impression of being glad to take a point that prolongs his four-match unbeaten run, and sets his sights on a CIS Cup semi-final meeting with Celtic.

After nine goals the last time the two teams met in August, United winning 5-4, Chisholm was true to his pregame promise of playing four strikers, Collin Samuel and David Fernandez deployed on the flanks of what was as close to an authentic 4-2-4 shape as you are likely to see anywhere in the SPL.

With Steven Hammell, Jim Paterson and Phil O'Donnell all out through injury, Paul Quinn started at left back for Motherwell, and looked every bit a right-side player struggling to adjust when he misjudged a long ball to allow Samuel to scamper through and fire a right footed drive a foot wide of the post.

But in a relatively even start, Motherwell were also creating openings. Jim Hamilton, playing against one of his myriad of former clubs, powered in a header as early as the second minute from Alan McCormack's cross which Stillie tipped over competently.

Some overzealous climbing from Steven Craigan prevented another set-piece attempt, and a Brian McLean header from a corner was cleared by Barry Robson on the line.

As the half drew on, the hosts generated the momentum. Samuel and Miller converged on an expert Fernandez cross only to knock wide, then the Spaniard's quick corner was met by McIntyre, whose header arced over Graeme Smith but rebounded off the bar.

Next, McIntyre laid in Fernandez, who conjured a pass across goal inches away from the luckless Miller. The former Falkirk and Hearts striker then tested Smith from long range, before McIntyre's curler flew narrowly wide.

Home nerves were fit to burst by the time Jim McIntyre opened the release valve with the opening goal. It came from a smart five-man breakout following a Motherwell attack. Mark Kerr, Lee Miller and Barry Robson were all involved before Fernandez curled over another delightful delivery, and McIntyre directed the ball past Smith with his forehead from six yards.

The celebrations were as intense as they were short lived. Within a minute, the United defence were sleeping when Brian Kerr rolled back a quick free-kick and Martyn Corrigan conjured an inspired lobbed effort which mesmerised Derek Stillie, only to rebound off the past and back gratefully into the goalkeeper's midriff.

Four minutes after that, Brian McLean contested another Kerr free- kick, the ball broke to Richie Foran and the Irishman's lob from a narrow angle eliminated Stillie long enough for McDonald to nip in at the far post and scramble the ball home - the goal's last two touches coming from men Butcher was preparing to substitute.

All that remained at Tannadice was a dismissal.

Gordon Chisholm will hope it is the only one this week.

FAST FOOTBALL

Fair result? Debatable. United's need was greater and they probably created better chances, but Motherwell deserve accolades for the dogged persistence.

Entertainment value: After a promising but ultimately misleading start, this game soon settled into the torpor of safety first SPL football. There have been worse games, but great swathes of play were directionless.

Talking point: United captain Paul Ritchie was sent off in the last minute of the game after clashing heads with Motherwell sub David Clarkson. Ritchie afterwards claimed Clarkson had kicked him on the ground, but will be suspended next week.

Man of the match: Jim McIntyre won balls in the air all day, scored the crucial opener and was involved . . .along with David Fernandez and Collin Samuel . . . in most of the good things that United managed to produce.

Gordon Chisholm: "I thought we did enough to win the game. I am only disappointed with the goal we lost. As for the sending off, Paul has reacted and showed an aggressive manner, but I think they both reacted in an aggressive manner. "

Terry Butcher: "Having played so well against Aberdeen we were concerned we wouldn't reach those levels against Dundee United and that was the case."

Dundee United:

Stillie Wilson McCracken Ritchie Archibald Kerr Robson Samuel Miller McIntyre Fernandez

Subs: Duff for Fernandez 90.

Not used: Samson, McInnes, Kenneth, Robertson, Cameron.

Booked: Ritchie 7, Kerr 33, Robson 60.

Sent off: Ritchie 90

Motherwell:

Smith Corrigan Craigan McLean Quinn McCormack Fagan Kerr Foran Hamilton Scott McDonald

Subs: Clarkson for Scott McDonald 84

Not used: Meldrum, Steven McDonald, Fitzpatrick, Connolly, Coakley, Smith.

Booked: McCormack 67.

Referee: M McCurry.

Attendance: 6,305.

Copyright 2005 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.