Woodsie was back in goal and had to run thirty yards to take part in the huddle.
The first half swept from end to end and stats that mattered showed that the score was one-one with the United goalie sent off and another three from each team in referee Somers' book.
We fell behind in four minutes after a hesitation between defenders and goalie. Kinniburgh elected side foot the ball past Woods for a corner. Tod met the low cross first time and the home side were one up.
We battled back though the three central defenders took a while to settle. The equaliser came in seventeen minutes when Clarkson raced in on goal with only Combe to beat. He tried to round the keeper at the near post but the referee took the view that the striker was impeded. The red card was shown, United brought on Gallacher and Adams lashed the spot kick home.
We gained in strength as the break approached. There were a series of half chances often inspired by Hammell's crosses. Yellow cards were shown like confetti. The first of several clear cut chances was wasted by 'Well on the stroke of half time when Adams shot flew inches past the post.
We missed another glaring opportunity at the start of the second half when Leitch skipped past his man on the edge of the box but his shot beat the post along with Gallagher.
United then came back into the game and were working hard. Their missing man was scarcely noticable. Woods had to make a great one handed save from a back post header but he could do nothing to stop United taking the lead moments later. A cross was half blocked into the path of Charlie Miller and while he appeared to mis-hit his shot, it looped over Woods and into the net.
We attempted to haul ourselves level but we failed to put any real pressure on the home defence. We had a few chances at the end, notable Clarkson having a close range header save and then coming within inches of connecting with a cross in injury time.
In all honesty, we got what we deserved today. We were outfought and outplayed and Terry Butcher will be absolutely raging with the players. On the plus side, Stevie Craig looked slightly better and if Richard Offiong receives the service, his pace could prove useful. A defeat today is disappointing but given the circumstances - in Dundee, United without a home win all season, not winning since they last played us and a new managers first game - it was probably inevitable. Let's hope we can bounce back