Dundee Utd 1-0 Motherwell

Jason Scotland has scored two goals in two games

Jason Scotland came off the bench to grab the winner and allow Dundee United to leapfrog Motherwell in their search for a top-six finish.

Ineffectual Charlie Miller, touted by boss Ian McCall for a Scotland call, was replaced after the break.

And substitute Scotland pounced to knock home the winner seconds later after goalkeeper Gordon Marshall failed to hold a Barry Robson drive.

Paul Gallacher produced fine saves to deny Jason Dair and Scott MacDonald.

United, unbeaten at home since November, had made one change, with winger Robson returned in place of Scotland, despite the striker's goal last weekend.

Motherwell also made a solitary change, injured Derek Adams being replaced with Jason Dair in midfield.

United captain Derek McInnes had a great chance in the opening minute but mis-hit his shot from the edge of the area.

Charlie Miller made space to shoot from the edge of the Well area, but Gordon Marshall dived low to save.

Jim McIntyre's header missed the target by a matter of inches after doing well to stretch back and turn his attempt at goal.

Motherwell nearly scored on the counter-attack in the 18th minute, when David Clarkson raced clear of the home defence to chase Dair's through-ball but was ruled offside.

Marshall was called into action on the half-hour mark to push away Robson's dipping 25-yard free-kick.

Jason Scotland pounced on a mistake by Gordon Marshall

Scott MacDonald fired a shot just wide of the back post as Motherwell threatened on the break.

Alex Burns' low cross across the face of the goal just evaded the foot of Clarkson.

United felt they should have had a penalty when Miller went down in the box under Keith Lasley's challenge.

Motherwell came close to taking the lead when Marshall palmed away MacDonald's low, 16-yard drive and Jason Dair looked poised to score until his shot was blocked.

United boss Ian McCall pulled off Charlie Miller and substitute Scotland opened the scoring within seconds.

Marshall failed to hold a speculative drive from Robson and the Trinidad and Tobago international pounced to drive home from five yards.

Well came home to a quick equaliser, Gallacher turning a 22-yard Hammell drive on to the roof of the crossbar.

Gallacher produced a fine double save to deny low drives from MacDonald and Dair.

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Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Innes, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes, Miller, Robson, McIntyre, McLaren.
Subs: Jarvie, Samuel, Dodds, Easton, Scotland.

Motherwell: Marshall, Corrigan, Craigan, Quinn, Dair, Lasley, Fagan, Hammell, Burns, Scott McDonald, Clarkson.
Subs: Corr, O'Donnell, Craig, Kevin McDonald, Kinniburgh.

Referee: S Dougal