If luck was a commodity available for purchase, then Jim McLean's ideal parting gift to the club he enhanced for so many years would be a large deposit at the Bank of Good Fortune. Sadly, no such bank exists. And even if it did, United would no doubt balk at the overdraft charges. As a result, a club which can neither borrow nor steal a shaft of good fortune is forced to soldier on disconsolately. City rivals Dundee lie in wait next weekend for a club accustomed to being big brother, but which now is condemned to the role of poor relation.

The statistics tell of a revitalised Motherwell side romping to their third straight match unbeaten in the SPL against hapless whipping boys. The reality was somewhat different. Referee Alan Freeland, a man who invariably generates a headline, effectively secured a passage to SFA Towers for disgruntled United caretaker manager Alex Smith the moment he sent off defender Jim Lauchlan for a somewhat innocuous clash with Lee McCulloch in the 31st minute. The former Kilmarnock player's right arm was raised; no dispute there. Whether it justified McCulloch's prostrate reaction, however, or an immediate red card, is questionable. With one player short, United were not entirely without hope. Debutants Charlie Miller and Argentinian striker Alberto Naveda were outstanding and commitment at least was not an issue. However, by the time Freeland had awarded Motherwell a first-half penalty, before denying Dundee United the same privilege for a high challenge on Miller in the 78th minute, his epitaph down Tannadice way was written.

Broodily, United's interim manager Smith chose every word like a gunslinger picks out his bullets afterwards before uttering: 'It's difficult to say anything without getting myself into trouble but until our player was sent off we were in control and under no pressure. 'I felt we were victims of harsh decisions and that Jim was unfortunate to be sent off. I was in the stand and all I saw was Jim trying to block McCulloch from coming round onto the ball. It was a foul, but I would say it was for, at most, obstruction.' Motherwell had no sooner been denied a reasonable spot-kick claim for a push on Stephen McMillan than Freeland decided to make amends. The ubiquitous McMillan was again involved, cutting across the bows of a rash Jason de Vos challenge to have his legs torn asunder a minute before the interval. United argued, but Brannan slotted home. Within five minutes of the restart it was 2-0 and the game appeared over. Derek Adams swung over a pacy cross from the right which found its way through to John Spencer. Feigning to shoot, Spencer instead pulled off the most exquisite back-heel to Stuart Elliott, who duly converted. Unexpectedly, however, Dundee United were of a mind to make a fight of it.

Within six minutes, John McQuillan had crossed to the near post, where Miller forced Steve Woods to parry his shot, only for Naveda to follow up. Oddly, the South American was withdrawn from the action soon after. A grave pity, for United appear to have uncovered a gem to match the glittering jewels in dark blue across the road. As Motherwell ended the day under siege, Miller was chopped to the floor by a high challenge from Greg Strong in the penalty area. It was a penalty, it appeared, to all but Mr Freeland. Motherwell, who have turned a orner, knew they had been in a contest and emerged blessed with fortune. The influential Spencer said: 'You've got to remember they are a team battling for their lives, aren't they? They are sitting at the bottom of the league with two points and, of course, they're going to scrap for every ball. 'Sometimes them having a man sent off does not benefit you.They outfought us and possibly could have snatched a point.'

Manager Billy Davies bore the look of a vindicated man after warning his charges before kick-off of the dangers ahead. He admitted: 'I said to the lads before the game that I was very concerned because I felt that out of the last three or four games this was going to be the most difficult.' United have played much worse than this yet still Alex Smith searches for an elusive win. If fortune truly favours the brave, then United, it appears, must now don the flak jackets. ©Soccernet