St Mirren 0-0 Dundee United

Feb 3 2008 Gordon Waddell At Love Street

Levein: We Need To Find New Barry

CRAIG LEVEIN got his first look at life without Barry Robson at Dundee United - and it was X-rated viewing.

The Arabs boss was delighted hismen escaped from Love Street still in the cup after a desperate performance.

Now he'll need the rest of his midfield to step up and fill the new Celtic man's boots in a hurry if they want to book a place in the quarter finals a week on Tuesday at Tannadice.

Only a top performance from keeper Lukasz Zaluska kept St Mirren at bay as the Love Street side pounded forward with flair and imagination.

And afterwards Levein confessed: "We're happy we're in the cup. It wasn't a great show at all but even on an off day against an SPL side we kept a clean sheet.

"In the first half the game was actually the same as last time we played at Love Street.

"That time it was Barry who made the difference as he helped us go on to win 3-0.

"And yes, Robson might have done the same here.

"But the fact is our three midfielders didn't make a pass between them.

"It wasn't until Danny Swanson made an appearance from the bench that we started to threaten."

United needed two men to fill Robson's boots.

Prince Buaben took his slot in midfield and fit-again Lee Wilkie took over the skipper's armband, replacing Garry Kenneth at the heart of the Arabs defence.

And the new captain admitted: "It is always difficult when you lose a great player like Barry - but we've got to adapt.

"His departure should actually be good for our other midfielders - it's a chance to step up and take his role.

"It might seem strange to say it after a game like that but we were happy to get in with a clean sheet and earn a replay."

The big stopper had to work hard for his crust with Buddies well on top in a first half that could be presented as Exhibit A in any case being made for a winter break.

The rain was howling - and so were United. Their final ball in from the wide areas was pitiful and their midfield support of lone hitman Noel Hunt non-existent.

Even with an extra man in the middle of the park against St Mirren's 4-4-2 they lost the battle.

Not that Buddies were sensational either - but at least they pushed on and made Zaluska work. The big Pole parried a fierce shot from the excellent Andy Dorman after just seven minutes.

The former New England Revolution midfielder came even closer just after the half hour.

Marc Corcoran lashed a fierce volley back across goal from David Van Zanten's back post ball from the right and although Dorman got a touch it wasn't enough to steer it home from just four yards out.

Corcoran himself came even closer six minutes from the break.

The wide man met Ian Maxwell's cross from the left on the half volley and it looked bottom corner from the moment it left his boot - but Zaluska arched low to his left to produce a top-drawer stop.

United needed a rocket - and the fact they trebled their attempts at goal inside 160 seconds of the second half suggests they got it.

Hunt forced a save from Chris Smith then Buaben blazed an effort over the bar.

But the Arabs soon slumped backwards into desperate trouble.

Zaluska had to bail out Sean Dillon after a nightmare passback gave Craig Dargo a sniff of goal. Minutes later Darren Dods gave the former Inverness and Killie star another good look - but this time his shot across goal zipped inches wide.

Just before the hour Billy Mehmet's effort was deflected wide as well - and that was the final straw for Levein.

On came Mark De Vries and Swanson. The double substitution gave Hunt some support and at last United looked like they maybe had a goal in them.

Former Berwick kid Swanson in particular put a flame under them with his drive and came close with a 20-yarder.

Again though the Buds finished the far stronger as they pressed for a late winner.

Only a spectacular Zaluska stop, leaping high to his right to keep out Will Haining's 16-yarder in the 89th minute, earned United a replay they barely deserved

REF WATCH

MIKE McCURRY redeemed himself after his midweek CIS Cup nightmare. A few calls upset the home fans but he did well in the tough conditions. Rating: 6/10