Daly grabbed a double for United at Fir Park

By Clive Lindsay

Two Michael Fraser mistakes and Motherwell's bobbly pitch helped Dundee United ease to a win that ensures their place in next season's Europa League.

The goalkeeper stumbled as he sent his attempted clearance against Jon Daly and into the net after five minutes.

Motherwell striker John Sutton headed an equaliser after 28 minutes.

But Daly volleyed home after another poor Fraser clearance and Craig Conway fired a third before Sutton headed his second with nine minutes remaining.

Victory pulled United back to within seven points of second-top Celtic and consigned Motherwell to their fourth straight defeat.

Craig Brown's home side had entered the match without the injured Keith Lasley in midfield, while on-loan Everton striker Lukas Jutkiewicz was only fit enough for the bench.

However, it was a stumble by Fraser and not the absence of either of those influential players that led to United taking their early lead.

The condition of the Fir Park pitch has been much criticised this season and Fraser lost his footing as he attempted to control a Stephen Craigan pass-back and his clearance ricocheted off Daly and into the unguarded net.

Ironically, the offending piece of turf that ushered in the 7000th goal in the Scottish Premier League was in one of the areas covered with fresh grass.

Before that comical opener, Steven Saunders, who came into the Motherwell side along with Giles Coke, had lurched forward from his right-back position to curl an effort wide of the far post after dispossessing Sean Dillon on the edge of the box.

United had made six changes to the team that drew with Rangers in midweek, with Daly, Andy Webster, Craig Conway, Danny Swanson, David Goodwillie and Keith Watson returning.

However, despite the addition of so many experienced players, United failed to capitalise on that early goal and Mark Reynolds should have done better than send a low drive wide of the far post after being found by a Tom Hateley through ball.

Webster cleared off the line from a powerful Sutton header, but the English striker made no mistake the next time he climbed above the normally dominant United defence to equalise.

Motherwell were the team doing the pressing but suffered a blow nine minutes later, when captain Craigan was forced off the field with a hamstring injury, to be replaced with Chris Humphrey.

The Northern Ireland international's organisational abilities appeared to be missed when United went 2-1 in front after another poor Fraser clearance led to a corner.

Conway's cross found Daly unmarked 12 yards out and Fraser's outstretched hand could not prevent the striker's volley bulging the net.

United's third goal was a nightmare for stand-in right-back Humphrey.

His poor through ball went straight to goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, whose quick throw to Sean Dillon was played down the wing to Conway.

The winger skipped past Humphrey's rash, diving challenge, turned inside another couple of defenders and sent his drive low past Fraser from 16 yards.

Motherwell's goalkeeper was having a nightmare and injured two of his own players coming out for a high ball.

Reynolds should have found the target instead of heading a couple of feet over after being found unmarked from a corner as the home side exerted some pressure.

It looked like it would be to no avail until Hateley wriggled his way to the by-line and his cross was headed in by Sutton from five yards.

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