MATCH REPORT | MOTHERWELL WOMEN 2 DUNDEE UNITED FC WOMEN 1

Dundee United exited the Sky Sports League Cup on Sunday with a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell at K-Park.

Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Gillian Inglis’ long range strikes had the hosts ahead at the break with Tammy Harkin pulling one back.

Despite heavy pressure from United they were unable to level things.

Graeme Hart made two changes from the side that defeated Hamilton as Tammy Harkin and Eve Donald replaced Georgie Robb and Johan Fraser.

Motherwell's London Pollard forced a save out of Fiona McNicoll from outside the box early on before Robyn Smith sent a header into the arms of Emily Mutch at the other end.

Early chances for United

Lisa Ryan twice came close early on for United.

But they were to rue the 17th minute misses, with McDonald-Nguah sending the ball past McNicoll from 20 yards to give Well the lead.

Motherwell doubled their lead eight minutes later through another long range strike, this time from Gillian Inglis.

Despite falling two goals behind, United were still in the game and created a number of first-half chances.

Danni McGinley couldn’t find a way past Mutch twice before the keeper held a Robyn Smith effort.

The final opportunity of the first half fell to McGinley with Mutch pushing her strike round the post.

United bounce back

Four minutes into the half, United pulled one back when a corner wasn’t cleared by the hosts and Jade McLaren squared the ball for Tammy Harkin to tap home.

This gave United the momentum and in the 55th minute they had the ball in the net again through Smith, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Another two efforts from Motherwell outside the box couldn’t find the target.

Well keeper Mutch could consider herself lucky to stay on the park after she handled outside the box with Smith looking likely to score.

A booking was the outcome and Harkin hit the crossbar from the resultant free-kick.

Despite heavy pressure from United they were unable to make it count and the closest they came late on was a Harkin header off target.

A disappointing result means no further progress in the Sky Sports Cup this season.

United will look to bounce back in a fortnight when they travel to Partick Thistle in the league. 

Dundee United team:

McNicoll, Donald (Guthrie 71), Ryan, McLaren, McGinley, Smith, Todd, Foote, Cowper, Harkin, Delworth. Subs not used: Malcolm, Robb, Bonner, Fraser, Arthur, Mitchell

Scorer: Harkin (49)

Booked: McLaren