Dundee Utd 3-1 Stranraer

James Grady, Andy McLaren and Mark Kerr celebrate

Dundee United avoided a shock CIS Insurance Cup exit as they came back from behind to defeat Second Division champions Stranraer.

Stranraer's David Graham had already headed narrowly wide before Murray Henderson volleyed home from six yards after a Graham corner.

James Grady equalised four minutes later, bundling the ball into the net.

Mark Kerr's 25-yarder was deflected into the net before Chris Innes headed home to make sure of victory.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges but almost fell behind when Graham met Kevin Finlayson's well-struck cross but the ball flashed inches wide.

Stranraer took the lead six minutes before the break.

Graham's corner from the right found Fraser Wright and he expertly headed into the path of Henderson, who volleyed home from six yards out.

Going behind gave the Tannadice side the spur they needed and it took them a mere four minutes to restore parity.

Grady, who was brought back into the starting line-up after being dropped against Livingston at the weekend, was on hand to bundle the ball into the net after Andy McLaren's deep cross eluded the visitors' defence.

McLaren went close with a speculative overhead effort in the 53rd minute.

Stranraer refused to fade and Tony Bullock had to be alert minutes later, palming Stephen Swift's deflected cross over the bar after it spun wickedly and headed towards his net.

The visitors were unlucky to go behind for the first time in the match in the 63rd minute.

Kerr lined up a shot from 25 yards and it deflected off John Fraser and spun into Andy McCondichie's bottom left-hand corner.

United extended their lead with 17 minutes left when Mark Wilson whipped in a corner from the right for Innes, who rose and powered the ball beyond McCondichie.

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Dundee Utd: Bullock, Wilson, McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, Robson (Dodds 80), Duff, Grady, McLaren (Samuel 69), Scotland (McIntyre 60), Innes.
Subs Not Used: Hirschfeld, McInnes.

Booked: McLaren.

Goals: Grady 43, Kerr 63, Innes 73.

Stranraer: McCondichie, Swift, Wright, Wingate, Henderson, Jenkins, Finlayson, Fraser, Kevin Gaughan (Aitken 66), Graham (Donnachie 80), Sharp.
Subs Not Used: Meechan, McCutcheon, Cruickshank.

Goal: Henderson 39.

Attendance: 2,511

Referee: A Freeland