There was not much romance on show at Tannadice as the Scottish Cup offered a reprieve for Kilmarnock and yet another door closing in the face of Dundee United’s season. Kyle Vassell’s first goal for Kilmarnock eased Derek McInnes’ side into Monday’s quarter-final draw at United’s expense with the Tannadice side now on a sequence of results that stretches to four successive defeats.
It would be a push to say there was anger at the full-time whistle with a crowd of less than five thousand more apathetic to their fate. Next weekend’s game against St Johnstone will be huge for Liam Fox’s side who are currently bottom of the cinch Premiership with fellow strugglers Motherwell sharing the same points tally.
On current evidence, United have their work cut out. They will point to the fact they might have taken something from this one on another day - substitute Aziz Behich whacked a rasping 20-yard effort off the top of the crossbar in the latter stages of the second period - but by and large United were devoid on any creativity or cutting edge in the final third. That was reflected in the introduction of 17-year-old Rory MacLeod with just under half an hour to go as the hosts searched for a way back into the game.
United’s problems were compounded by the dismissal of Loick Ayina for his second bookable offence with the 19-year-old, on loan from Huddersfield, guilty of a robust challenge on Vassell as he went through the back of the forward.
Whatever United’s problems, however, Kilmarnock enjoyed themselves with a break from pressures of their own league form. The Rugby Park side will feel that they edged this one on the balance of play albeit that the opening period of the game was a largely forgettable affair.
VAR was conspicuous by its absence in the first half when a couple of contentious calls may have delivered a different verdict had the technology been in play.
Brad Lyons had an effort that seemed to come off the hand of Scott McMann while McMann was booked shortly after for a crunching foul on Danny Armstrong that could well have been upgraded.
It did, at least, provide something to talk about from an opening exchange that delivered little in the way of goalmouth action. It took until the closing minutes of the half for the first shot on target to come when Rory McKenzie reflected Kilmarnock’s growing authority on the game when he sent a low fizzing effort towards the bottom corner that Dundee United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti had to dive to push away for a corner.
Other than that, an Armstrong cross that Christian Doidge had headed over the bar were the only real moments of note from the first 45.
United were a different proposition after the restart as they started with some purpose. They had a handball shout of their own as they claimed Joe Wright had illegally blocked an effort before Craig Sibbald drew a decent stop from Killie keeper Sam Walker after he had collected from Mathew Cudjoe.
United got closer again just minutes later when Liam Smith headed a Glenn Middleton cross off the bar before Kilmarnock took the wind from their sails as the Rugby Park side took the lead.
Armstrong’s corner caused havoc in the United box as Birighitti was caught in no-man’s land after coming off his line with Vassell the gleeful recipient.
United’s task got harder after Ayina was sent off.
Not satisfied with his contribution to the afternoon, Vassell almost claimed a second goal that would have killed the game off with a glancing header that Birighitti had to be equal to.
Still, substitute Behich clipped the crossbar with his fierce effort but there was little sense that United has the capability of rallying themselves after going a goal behind.
They now face the challenge of lifting it for what will be an intense second period of the season as they look to fight their way out of the precarious position their league form has left them.
Kilmarnock will hope that the confidence gleaned from their win can inject a bit of stability into their own league form given that they are only three points better off than their Tanadice counterparts.
