Dundee boss John Brown insisted his side had every right to feel hard done by after a dodgy decision contributed to their latest derby defeat.
Near neighbours United ran out 2-1 winners at Dens Park to book a spot in today’s Scottish Cup semi-final draw, but there was controversy surrounding the goal which sent the Tangerines on their way.
Dundee were unhappy they had not been awarded a throw-in the build-up, suspecting Gary Mackay-Steven had dribbled the ball out of play.
But when play restarted, a foul gave United a free-kick and Barry Douglas’s inviting set-piece was duly headed home by Brian McLean to give the visitors the lead.
That clearly didn’t sit well with Brown after the game, and ‘Bomber’ certainly wasn’t mincing his words when it came to discussing the officials.
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“I think it was an even game, both teams went for it, but I’m pretty bitter about a decision that didn’t go our way,” he said. “It was a clear throw-in that ultimately results in a free-kick that shouldn’t have happened.
“I don’t really need to talk about how you defend because that shouldn’t come into play if the officials do their jobs right. An official has cost this football club a replay and the chance to get to a semi-final.
“I just said to the referee (Iain Brines) at the end I’m not going to be ranting and raving but the ball was clearly out.
“The TV people told us, I could see it at the time, and the only person who didn’t see it was the linesman who is five yards from it. I can’t believe it.
“I think it was an even balanced game, especially in the first half. But that decision in the first half took it out of our hands.”
Brown revealed that referee supervisor Bob Valentine told him after the final whistle that the ball had gone out of play before United’s opener, but the admission was of little consolation.
He added: “It’s human error but it’s a sore one to take. I’m 10 yards away and the official is right there how he can’t see that I don’t know.
“I don’t want to be throwing it all on the official but the one decision where you need them to be on their game, they don’t do it right and it’s cost us the game because, take that away, it was an even game.
“It would have given us a replay, but I wish United all the best. It’s just left our boys deflated but they’ll dust themselves down and pick themselves up for the next game. We’ll keep working away.
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“We’re creating chances, we’ve got younger defenders who are learning the game and we’ll work with that.
“As I said to the boys, from now until the end of the season let’s go and enjoy our football and work hard.
“They gave us that today and on another day we would have had a replay. That’s just the bitter pill that’s left in my mouth tonight.”
United boss Jackie McNamara took Partick Thistle to a national final before leaving Firhill for Tannadice, so it was doubly pleasing for him to steer his new team to a national semi-final at Hampden just weeks after taking charge.
“It’s great I’m delighted for the fans and everybody connected with the club,” he said. “I left Thistle in the final of the Ramsdens Cup and hopefully we can get to the final of the Scottish Cup to make up for it.
“I said before the game it was about getting into the semi-final and we managed to do that. I thought it was a typical cup tie, a typical derby and quite an even match.
“I think we can play a lot better, I think we can pass the ball better, and credit to Dundee, they made it hard for us.
“I thought they put a lot of pressure on us, putting extra men up front, and I thought we coped with it really well.
“John will be happy with the spirit of his team, I’m delighted with the spirit of my team and the commitment.
“We had a loss with Johnny Russell before the game, Jon Daly was carrying a knock early on in the first half with his groin, and I didn’t have a lot of other options on the bench up front. But we battled and we got there in the end.”
As for the circumstances surrounding United’s first goal, McNamara commented: “I saw the Dundee players appealing it but I didn’t actually see if it was out or not. I was looking down the line but couldn’t actually see.”