United Break Diamonds Hearts in Edgy Cup Tie Played on Artificial Turf

 On the artificial turf of the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Dundee United edged out their lower league rivals with a pair of goals, one in each half.

The scoreline could have been much higher if chances had been taken by either side but, over the piece, the tangerines from the east coast deserved the victory and now proceed to the next round of the Communities Cup.

In front of a small crowd, both sides failed to gather any early momentum to grab the game by the scruff of its neck ,and it could have been the artificial turf, it could have been playing lower league opposition, but Dundee United failed to gel and lacked cohesion in the early stages.

United's goalkeeper even seemed to resort to second division football by hoofing the ball whenever possible, losing the ability to pass the ball out from the back, dragging his side down to a lower level of football that helped level the playing field slightly throughout the match.

Peter Houston's side were soon passing the ball around, though, with most of the attacking threats coming from the left hand wing area with the crosses coming in from this area posing the biggest threat to the home side on every occasion.

Shots peppered the Airdrie goalie, with his hands being stung five times in the opening 11 minutes, but it was a mistake by the keeper that handed the opening goal to the visitors after a rebound dropped to the feet of Dow to slot home the opener.

The crosses from either side continued to ping across both goal areas with neither keeper making any particular dominance felt in the danger zone.

Even Dundee United defender Gary Kenneth was trying to spice things up with a couple of fluffed clearance efforts either side of the halftime whistle that nearly handed his opponents goals on both occasions. Fortunately for him, Airdrie failed to capitalize.

The game was put to bed, though, on the 75th minute with a wicked cross, again from the left, that Daly side-footed home to end Airdrie's aspirations of clawing themselves into extra time in the tie.

In the after match press conference the relief was clear for United boss Peter Houston, but was full of praise for his hosts tonight.

Houston now looks forward to a last eight clash with an early season opportunity at a piece of silverware.

Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.

Dundee United Break Diamonds Hearts with Hard Fought Victory