Dundee United 1-0 Aberdeen: Red card apiece as Harkes gives hosts victory

Ian Harkes' strike gave Dundee United victory in a fractious New Firm derby

Aberdeen midfielder Funso Ojo was pushed by a home fan and then sent off amid incredible scenes in the Scottish Premiership defeat at Dundee United.

After a brief confrontation, Ojo was shown a second yellow by Bobby Madden, who had dismissed United captain Calum Butcher moments earlier for an off-the-ball incident with Christian Ramirez.

Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass was sent off at half-time for his complaints over Ojo's dismissal, and United snatched a late winner when Ian Harkes lashed home from a corner.

United's first win in four lifts them level on points with third-place Hearts, while Aberdeen are eighth after successive defeats.

• Reaction & as it happened

A ferociously competitive contest at Tannadice exploded as half-time approached.

First, Butcher needlessly got involved in a confrontation between team-mate Ryan Edwards and Aberdeen striker Ramirez. Butcher flicked a hand towards Ramirez's privates and Madden brandished the red card.

Ojo, having been yellow carded earlier, soon followed in controversial circumstances. After the clash with the fan brought a second yellow, he returned to the touchline to remonstrate with the supporters behind the goal and had to be dragged off down the tunnel.

Glass, too, was incensed, and his complaints to Madden earned him a watching brief from the stands for the second half.

The on-field action had provided no such drama, with both sides bogged down in a congested midfield battle.

Dylan McGeouch's terrific block denied United midfielder Jeando Fuchs in the opening minutes, while Kieran Freeman fired wide after latching on to a Jack MacKenzie mistake.

But the visitors were in the ascendancy with Ramirez going closest with an effort that fizzed wide of the far post.

Aberdeen lost MacKenzie - on his comeback from a four-game injury absence - at the interval after a first half clash of heads and Jack Gurr also succumbed to a knock after the break.

Ryan Hedges ought to have put them in front, slashing wide at the near post from a Jonny Hayes cutback.

And United made them pay with an 80th-minute winner. Substiutue Louis Appere's shot was touched on to the post by Joe Lewis, but Harkes met the resulting corner with a fine outside-of-the-boot finish.

Man of the match - Ian Harkes

The midfielder (right) providing the game's defining moment of quality

What did we learn?

The fallout from this New Firm derby will rumble on for some time. Ojo's second yellow seemed incredibly harsh - he was the victim rather than aggressor - and ultimately tipped the game in United's favour.

Thomas Courts' men showed grit and determination to grind out the win from there, while Aberdeen's mounting injury problems compounded their miserable day.

What's next?

Dundee United are away to Ross County in the Premiership next Saturday (15:00 GMT), with Aberdeen the visitors at Celtic 24 hours later.

More to follow.