Dundee United 0 Livingston 1

Livingston made it through to the next in front of just under 2900 people last night. The Lions went into the United match full of confidence after going over four games without losing a goal, and they made it five in a row in a comfortable fashion. The match itself wasn’t a classic, in fact, it was far from it, but Livingston looked the more confident side, and should have went ahead on the 14 minute mark. Lee Makel got a hold of the ball 25 yards out, but his fierce shot was brilliantly tipped over by Gallacher in the United goal.

The Lions did find the back of the net six minutes later thanks to some great play by David McNamee and a blunder by referee Willie Young. Marvin went up for a challenge, the referee seemed to give the free-kick to Dundee United, Marvin complained that he was elbowed, and the whistler then seemed to change his mind, and gave the free-kick to Livi, which at the point half of the United side still thought that the free kick was theirs.

Fernandez took the quick free kick, McNamee got hold of it, skinned a defender, and fired a cross over to Stuart Lovell, who saw his shot fire off the underside of the bar, come back out, and hit United goalie Gallacher on the napper, and the ball agonisingly crept into the empty United goal. A sloppy goal, but I would gladly take them every week.

United did hit the bar seconds after the interval, but the Lions were in full control of the match, and deserved the win.

Livi boss was happy with the win but felt the few fans who turned up didn't witness much of a game.

Hay said: "I'm delighted to be in the next round, but I think it's fair to say that it wasn't a particularly good match.

"We defended well but were not as sharp as we've been in the last few weeks, although, when the draw is made, we'll look back and just be glad to be there.

"The commitment and effort was there from the players and we had to show that because we knew it was always going to be tough.''

But Hay also expressed concern for defender Jamie McAllister after the former Aberdeen man limped out of the game with an ankle injury.

McAllister played for the Scotland Future team against Germany last week but Hay is now worried he may have broken a bone.

He said: "Jamie went over on his ankle and says he heard a noise, so it's not too good.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens over the next few days but I would presume he'll be missing at the weekend.''

But Tannadice boss Ian McCall showed the strain of managing a team that have been unable to win matches at home with his non-appearance at the post-match press conference.