A Craig Conway double helped Dundee United lift the Scottish Cup for only the second time in their history as they ran out 3-0 winners over First Division Ross County in the final at Hampden.
David Goodwillie got the party started for United in the 61st minute when he sent a well-taken lob into the net after collecting a poor headed clearance from keeper Michael McGovern 25 yards out.
As County committed men forward in search of an equaliser Conway used his pace to race beyond their defence and slot low past McGovern before adding a second five minutes from time.
United had dominated the match against their lower league opponents with County showing little of the flair that led them past Scottish Premier League sides Hibernian and Celtic on their way to their first ever appearance in the Scottish Cup final.
It is United’s first win in the competition since 1994 and only the second in their 101-year history.
Tangerines manages Peter Houston said he felt the first goal was always going to be vital.
“It turned out that way and fortunately we got it and I think from then on there was only going to be one winner,” he said.
“I am very proud of the players’ efforts as all season they have worked ever so hard for it.”
Derek Adams admitted his side hadn’t deserved to win.
“It’s been magnificent that we’ve been able to reach the Scottish Cup final. Today we didn’t perform and that’s not taking anything away from Dundee United,” the County boss, only 34, said.
“It’s been a great day for us other than we didn’t win.”
At Hampden County boss Derek Adams kept faith with the same starting 11 that clinched a historic win over Old Firm giants Celtic in the semi-final while United’s Paul Dixon and Darren Dods missed out through injury.
After a nervy start the game came to life in the 11th minute when Danny Swanson went down in the box claiming for a penalty, however referee Dougie McDonald adjudged he ran into County’s Alex Keddie.
A rampaging run from Swanson lit up a scrappy first-half when he collected the ball in his own half and twisted and turned his way through the County defence before unleashing a shot from the edge of the box which Keddie managed to block.
United upped the tempo and Prince Bauben headed Conway’s pinpoint cross from the left straight at McGovern before Andy Webster hit a header off the post.
As the game approached half-time Keddie came to the rescue again when he managed to get a block in as Goodwillie raced in on goal before Jon Daly sent a header into the arms of McGovern.
The second-half began with United again on top with Swanson just off target with a header from Morgaro Gomis’ cross.
A mistake from McGovern handed United the lead in the 61st minute. The keeper raced out his box to clear a United long ball but his header landed at the feet of Goodwillie.
The United forward took a touch to control it before sending a perfectly executed lob from 25 yards into the top right-hand corner of the net as three defenders raced back in vain.
The goal injected a little urgency into County’s play and Keddie sent a header wide before Martin Scott’s curling shot from just inside the box was held by Dusan Pernis.
However United doubled their lead in the 75th minute when the pace of Conway proved too much for County. Goodwillie headed on a throw-in to Conway who raced past the County defence to send a low shot under the advancing ‘keeper.
Conway made sure of the win with his second of the game in the 86th minute. The winger took a touch to control a good ball from Gomis before unleashing a fierce strike that bounced over the outstretched arm of McGovern and into the bottom left-hand corner.
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