Ross Graham's first-half header ultimately settled the contest
Ross Graham’s close-range header proved decisive as Dundee United beat St Mirren to secure a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final away to Motherwell.
The towering defender got the vital touch from a couple of yards out after Will Ferry’s excellent corner delivery wasn’t dealt with by the St Mirren backline.
Craig Sibbald had earlier come close to opening the scoring when he gathered outside the penalty area and measured a wonderful effort that struck the crossbar.
Debutant Luca Stephenson, on loan from Liverpool, passed up an excellent chance to extend United’s lead but failed to connect well enough after Ferry’s well-placed cutback.
St Mirren battled hard but failed to muster many clear-cut chances with the exception of an early Alex Iacovitti effort on target that Jack Walton saved well.
The crossbar came to their rescue once more when substitute Louis Moult raced on to a through ball down the inside left channel, cut inside, and smashed his shot off the underside of the woodwork.
In injury time, Jaden Brown had the chance to level but in a central position, his connection wasn’t true enough and United scrambled it behind with Walton exposed.
From there, Jim Goodwin’s side saw it through to protect their advantage and continue their encouraging start to their campaign.
Tannadice positivity as St Mirren dealt post-Europe blow
United will rightly be most consumed by ensuring they stay in the Scottish Premiership and anything more might feel like a bonus.
However, that bonus, getting to a cup quarter-final so early in the season, will be a considerable boost offering confidence and belief they are more than equipped to compete.
It’s been a more than solid start to the season. They seem to have recruited well and the early signs are positive.
St Mirren have enjoyed their European foray and now face the challenge of regaining domestic focus quickly to set them off positively in their quest to match, or better, last season’s heights.
They face Celtic next on league business. The challenges they face show no sign of relenting.
What they said
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We were well worthy of the win in the end. St Mirren came fast out of the blocks.
"Over the piece, we controlled large periods within the first half. Deservedly got ourselves in front. We wanted that second goal to kill the game off.
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "[We lost to] A set-play. We had four great chances from set-plays. They took theirs, we didn't.
"We just lacked a bit of a spark. Perhaps I got it wrong today. There wasn't a lot of options in terms of the selection process. The young boys who came in did well."
