Dunde United duly swept away the minor European Cup challenge of the Maltese at Tannadice last night. But a healthy crowd of 8213 on a miserable evening left in the knowledge that they will be far better entertained in the second round. It was just too one-sided to be of any use to either side and must raise the question of whether nations of the Maltese standard should be allowed to compete at.

In fact the only serious danger United faced came in the second half. Spartans threatened to turn nasty and could easily have left United players badly injured just a few days before meet ing Rangers in a vital Premier League match at Tannadice. However. there was at least one plus for United in that Paul Sturrock made a successful comeback. Playing for the first time this season, he lasted 55 minutes before being replaced by Graeme Payne after showing that his knee injury has in no way affected his ability to turn defences.

United had too much of the ball for their own good. And they would certainly have had more goals but for some fine work by goal keeper Joe Briocat. Spartans .threatened Just once - and they could have taken a sensational lead in eight minutes. Argentinian AIex Gutman cut the ball across goal for Michael Degiorgio but, faced with only Hamish McAlpine to beat, he mis-hit his shot. United finally took the lead in 28 minutes when Ralph claimed the distinction of scoring their first goal in a European Cup-tie at Tanna-dice. Eamonn Bannon swung over a comer from the left and Milne, fired a 15-yard volley through a packed penalty area and into the net.

Two minutes before half-time Billy Kirkwood got the second with a shot that was deflected past, the unfortunate Brincat. However, the .Maltese were unfortunate to lose a third goal immediately'after the interval. Hamrun. who had reappeared in changed jerseys - black and red stripes instead of plain red, protested but the goal stood. That bad luck though, was balanced by some good fortune when United failed to add to their lead despite non stop pressure.

Hamrun had three players booked Farrugia, Brincal and Gaitan Refalo.

Dundee United: McAlpine, Kirkwood, Murray, Gough, Hegarty, Stark, Bannon, Milne, Holt, Sturrock, Dodds Substitutes: McLeod, Malpas, Payne, Beaumont, Phillip.

Hamrun Spartans: Brincat, G. Refalo, Ferrugia, Salerno, ZahtmitIyanov, L. Refalo, R. Xunereb, Gutman, G. Xunereb, Degiriogo Substitutes: Callejae, A. Assopardi, Gruich, A. Assopardi, Maraston.

Ref: Hellagson (Denmark)

Attendance: 8,213