DUNDEE United striker Simon Murray was controversially sent off after picking up two yellow cards for simulation as the Terrors and Hamilton fought out a feisty goalless draw in the first-leg of their Ladbrokes Premiership play-off final at Tannadice.
Martin Canning’s side had the best of the goalless first-half by far and should have had a couple of early goals but the home side came back strongly after the break.
However, in the 77th minute Murray, booked in the first-half for diving by referee Steven McLean, was adjudged to have gone too ground too easily after a challenge by Scott McMann, although television seemed to suggest he had been caught by the Accies defender and should have had a penalty.
Assistant referee Graham Chambers appeared to help McLean with his decision although United can appeal so Murray should be available for the return game at the SuperSeal stadium on Sunday.
An evening of excitement, tension and frustration was preceded by a minute’s silence in tribute to those who died and were injured in the Manchester bomb attack.
Accies started with more intensity and purpose, perhaps to the surprise of the Taysiders.
In the seventh minute Accies winger Dougie Imrie, making his 200th appearance for the Lanarkshire club, stayed on the ground after a challenge by United stopper Mark Durnan as they competed inside the United box for an Ali Crawford free-kick but referee McLean ignored penalty claims.
Two minutes later Accies midfielder Danny Redmond missed Rakish Bingham’s cross only a couple of yards out, allowing United keeper Cammy Bell to gather.
Just after the half-hour mark, Murray was yellow carded for simulation inside the box after a challenge by Massimo Donati, back in as captain following Michael Devlin’s knee injury.
By the interval Canning’s men were back on top but with nothing to show for their superiority.
In the 53rd minute David Templeton’s deflected shot from 14 yards slipped past the post and after United defender Sean Dillon and team mate Wato Kuate stopped arguing, the corner came to nothing.
The home side sensed they could get their noses in front for the second-leg but in the 75th minute Ali Crawford missed a good chance at the back post.
Moments later, Murray was on his way off after being challenged by McMann, and the game ended in some acrimony but with neither club any more sure of where they will be playing next season.
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