Stranraer 0 United 3

United booked their place in the Scottish Cup Quarter Finals with a fairly emphatic victory at Stranraer.  By Michael Blackley A clinical first-half performance put United well on their way as they strolled into a 3-0 half-time lead at Stair Park courtesy of two goals by Ryan Dow and one from Chris Erskine within a ten minute spell. And the Tangerines were happy to comfortably play out the second half despite the home side rallying in search of a way back into the game. Ironically, United’s two match winners only came into the side following the transfer of star players Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic in midweek.  Dow and Erskine replaced the outgoing duo in the starting eleven, while Henri Anier also replaced Charlie Telfer as Jackie McNamara made three changes from the side which beat Aberdeen in last weekend’s enthralling League Cup Semi Final win over Aberdeen. In the first 20 minutes, there was little between the sides, with only half chances at both ends.  However, United then showed their superiority with a masterful display of clinical finishing that ended any cup nerves and put the game out of sight very quickly. It was a Stranraer defensive mix-up that gave United the breakthrough, when Grant Gallagher played a poor pass back to the centre of defence and Chris Erskine nipped in ahead of the defender and poked the ball past keeper David Mitchell. Stranraer would have felt they were unlucky to be behind and they tried to bounce back instantly with a prolonged period of pressure.  First, full back Craig Pettigrew strode forward on the right then blasted in a shot which had to be blocked by Callum Morris.  Then a header from fellow defender Scott Rumsby had to be parried away by Radoslaw Cierzniak, and Stranraer broke quickly again and Cierzniak had to be alert as Sean Winter burst through. However, United weathered the storm and pounced to give themselves a commanding lead. Sean Dilon expertly played a through ball down the left flank which Dow collected, cut inside then coolly finished. With little more than half an hour on the clock, United put the game beyond doubt with another convincing attack.  Nadir Ciftci controlled the ball well in midfield then played an immaculate through ball to Dow, who calmly touched the ball beyond the keeper and slotted home. Stranraer pressed towards the end of the first half and tried to get themselves back in the game and came close to a goal when a header by Craig Malcolm from a corner that Cierzniak failed to deal with had to be headed off the line by Ryan McGowan. The home side were looking threatening when they attacked and Cierzniak had to fist away a corner near half time, then Winter fired past after Morris cleared a dangerous through ball. Although United hadn’t always looked entirely comfortable, Jackie McNamara would be delighted with the clinical finishing which gave his side a commanding 3-0 half time lead. With the job largely done in the first half, United seemed happy to play out the game in the second half, although they did have to contend with a rally from the Blues as they searched for a way back into the game. They put Cierzniak under pressure with a series of dangerous crosses into the box,but the closest they came to a goal was a firmly struck 20 yard free kick from Aitken which the keeper held well. Grant Gallagher came close for the home side as he fired over when a Dillon block fell for him invitingly. At the other end, Ciftci nearly got on the end of a well drilled cross from Anier on the right and star man Dow nearly picked out Ciftci with an inviting cross from the right. In the closing stages, United nearly put the polish on the win when a free-kick from 30 yards by Charlie Telfer had to be tipped over. But in the end United would be happy to avoid a potential banana skin with a fairly comfortable 3-0 following the long journey to Stair Park. Full time: Stranraer 0 United 3 Man of the match: Ryan Dow.  Earned his place following his supersub appearance at Hampden last week. Looked comfortable on the ball, was full of flicks and tricks and took his chances well.  Stranraer: Mitchell; Pettigrew, Longridge, Rumsby, McKeown; Aitken (Robertson, 71), Winter, Gallagher, Malcolm (Stony, 71), Stirling (Longworth, 62), Gibson SUBS: Tobin, Russell United: Cierzniak; McGowan, Dillon, Fojut, Morris; Paton, Butcher; Ciftci, Erskine (Spittal, 73), Dow; Anier (Telfer, 78) Subs: Szromnik, Rankin, Dixon, Connolly, Spark.