Dundee United qualify for the Premier Sports Cup last-16 after dramatic results on Saturday.

Ayr United’s failure to defeat Buckie Thistle by three goals allowed United to advance.

Dundee United has advanced to the Premier Sports Cup round of 16 thanks to a huge favour from Highland League champions Buckie Thistle.

The Tangerines were put on the back foot in Group B after a disastrous first game against Falkirk, losing 2-0 courtesy of goals from Dylan Tait and Ross MacIver.

A decent response saw United defeat Stenhousemuir, Ayr United, and Buckie Thistle, albeit with a comparatively modest goal difference of +5.

That meant the Terrors would finish third if Falkirk defeated local rivals Stenhousemuir and the Honest Men beat Buckie by three goals – outcomes that even Jim Goodwin admitted were likely.

The Bairns kept their end of the bargain on a dramatic Saturday of action, defeating Stenny 4-0 at Falkirk Stadium to lead the group with nine points and a +9 goal difference.

However, Ayr only managed a 3-2 victory over Buckie at Somerset Park, with the Jags battling back from 2-0 down to draw level. As a result, Scott Brown’s team finished the breathless section with nine points and a +4 goal differential.

More results went United’s way

With only the top three runners-up qualifying, second place was no guarantee of advancement. However, results for Alloa, Clyde, and Raith Rovers also went United’s way.

Second-placed teams Airdrie, United, and Queen’s Park advanced, while Livi was eliminated despite scoring nine points.

The Tangerines will be unseeded in the last-16 draw, but Goodwin won’t care because a second consecutive group stage exit was looming.

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