Dundee United came so close to producing yet another classic away performance on the continent last night, losing out in the closing stages as the Austrian champions had almost reached the stage of despair in the Gernadt Hanappi Stadium. United manager Jim McLean said beforehand that his side must score at least once to give themselves any chance in the second leg of this European Cup quarter final tie at Tannadice in a fortnights time, and midfield player Derek Stark provided the goal after half an hour with a magnificent shot (see above).

McLean had slightly mixed feelings after the match and said: "I think it's a magnificent result to get at this stage of the tournament ane we are happy with it, but not with the performance. We got the early goal but I think we played the wrong game in the second half and it was disappointing to lose those goals so late in the game. We've got to play a lot bette at Tannadice but the away goal and losing by just one gives us a great chance. The last two seasons we have been in the UEFA Cup and lost out in the quarter finals. the players may have been a bit apprehensive about the same thig happening."

Goalkeeper Hamish McAlpine had given his colleagues the inspiration with a series of spectacular saves and the United defence, in which captain Paul Hegarty was a giant, held out until near the end, despite blatant favouritism being shown to Rapid by the Bulgarian referee. The Scots however were dumped by a late one-two from substitute Max Hagnayr then Yugoslavian Zatko Kranjcar just four minutes from time. Those were cruel blows to the Scots who deserved a better fate.

But the away goal could make all the difference in the return. Jim McLean had promised that his side wouid not sit back and defend and .in just two minutes Bannon raced down the left and sent over a cross. Dodds gol his head to the cross but there was not enough power behind it and Feurer gathered easily. McAlpine pulled off two quite magnificent saves when he dived full length to hold headers from Kranki and Keglevits. The Scottish champions were rocking slightly under the pressure but Hegarty and company were still doing well. Slurrock was ofen left to go it alone up front but in 30 minutes. when United broke forward again he had plenty of support and the Tannadice side took the lead with a magnificent goal. Bannon again did some good work on the left. He pushed the bail-inside the box to Sturrock who brilliantly shielded it and knocked it back to Stark who hit a first-time drive from 25 yards which hardly left the ground as it sped inside the right-hand post. What a boost that was for the Scots but the real hero was McAlpine.

In 35 minutes he had another amazing save from a close-in Kranki header following a comer which was given after the ball had clearly come off a Rapid attacker. When the Bulgarian referee, who was proving to be a bit of a homer, again gave the Austrians a corner when it obviously should have been a goal kick. he was surrounded by frustrated United players and eventually booked Hegarty. But the first half was something of a triumph for United. The Austrian fans heralded the second half by throwing fireworks towards McAlpine and the referee had to call for a loudspeaker-announcement. He also spoke to the police the first favour he had shown the Scots during the match, in 55 minutes Willfurth came on for Garger and even Sturtock was back helping out. in defence as the Austrian hit shots against bodies and past the post. I In 65 minutes Hagmayr replaced Keglevits | But with 14 minutes feft they produced a late burst which rocked the Scots. Lainer, out on the right, lofted another high ball into the middle and this time Hagmayr rose to head in off the underside of the bar. It was the first goal United had lost in the tournament.

Milne was taken off and Holt came on and with just four minutes left Rapid took the lead. McAlpine made another magnificent save, blocking ' a close-range shot, but Kranjcar was first to the rebound and poked the ball over the line. Immediately Sturock, who had done so much running, was taken off and Clark sent on, but as the Austrians went after another goal United closed rank again and can be satisfied with their work.

Rapid Vienna: Feuter, Lainer, Garger, Pregesbauer, Weber, Kienast, Kranjcar, Panemka, Krankl, Bruenic, Keglevits Substitutes: Willfurth, Hagmayr, Wiernhofer, Stadler, Neubeur.

Dundee United: McAlpine, Stark, Malpas, Gough, Hegarty, Narey, Bannon, Milne, Kirkwood, Sturrock, Dodds Substitutes: Holt, Milne, McGinnis, Gardiner, Reilly

Ref: B dotschev (Bulgaria)

Attendance: 38,266