Livi and United in drab draw

Livingston 0-0 Dundee United

Dundee United got their first point of the season thanks to an uneventful draw at the City Stadium in Livingston.

Both sides had half-chances in what was a hard-fought and open game but neither side really did enough to merit all three points.

The first effort on goal did not arrive until the 15th minute when Lee Makel tried a speculative shot from 30 yards, which United keeper Tony Bullock caught comfortably.

Moments later, an Andy McLaren cross from the right found Collin Samuel in a great position but the former Falkirk player headed into the side-netting.

Fernando Pasquinelli's low snap-shot from the edge of the box had Bullock diving to his right to save before Makel fired a free- kick from 25 yards just wide.

The home side should have taken the lead in the 21st minute when Makel's clever pass set up David Fernandez inside the box but the Spaniard's goal-bound shot from 14 yards was headed off the line by Danny Griffin and the danger was eventually cleared.

On the half-hour mark, Roddy McKenzie had to be alert to keep out Jim McIntyre's deflected free-kick.

Three minutes later, at the other end, a Jamie McAllister free-kick from 30 yards fizzed past Bullock's right-hand post with the United keeper beaten.

Then, with the home side getting on top, a Makel free-kick from the left was met by Marvin Andrews who headed powerfully just over the bar from 16 yards.

Right on the half-time whistle, Bullock pulled off a great save from a goalbound Quino shot to keep the scoreline blank at half time.

In the 50th minute, Livi captain Rubio needlessly put his side under pressure when he tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick while being pursued by McIntyre, who knocked the ball back into play.

But, after a goalmouth melee, the home side eventually cleared their lines.

United were slowly gaining the initiative and in the 66th minute, Griffin hit a free kick a yard over the bar.

Livi debutant Salvador Capin then almost put through his own goal when he sliced a Griffin cross against McKenzie from close range.

The game was moving from end to end in the latter stages and in the 70th minute the impressive Bullock pulled off the save of the match when he tipped an Andrews header from a Makel corner over the crossbar.

As the game entered the closing stages it looked more and more likely that one goal would be enough to take the points, but in the end no-one could make the breakthrough and the draw was all either side deserved.

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Livingston: McKenzie, Capin, Rubio, Andrews, McAllister, Quino, Makel, Kerr, McGovern (Lilley 62), Pasquinelli, Fernandez.

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Scott McLaughlin, Dorado, Steven Miller.

Booked: Capin, Rubio.

Dundee Utd: Bullock, Griffin, Innef, Archibald, Duff, McLaren (Robson 75), McInnes, Miller, McIntyre, Samuel (Kerr 46), Dodds (Scotland 66).

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, McCracken.

Booked: McIntyre, McInnes.

Att: 5,344

Ref: S Conroy