| 1995 Scottish Challenge Cup final | |
| Event: | 1995–96 Scottish Challenge Cup |
| Team1: | Stenhousemuir |
| Team1score: | 0 |
| Team2: | Dundee United |
| Team2score: | 0 |
| Details: | After extra time Stenhousemuir won 5–4 on penalties |
| Date: | 5 November 1995 |
| Stadium: | McDiarmid Park |
| City: | Perth |
| Man Of The Match1a: | Roddy McKenzie[1] |
| Referee: | J. Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy) |
| Attendance: | 7,856 |
| Previous: | 1994 |
| Next: | 1996 |
The 1995 Scottish Challenge Cup final was an association football match between Stenhousemuir and Dundee United on 5 November 1995 at McDiarmid Park in Perth.[2] It was the sixth final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Football League.
The match was Stenhousemuir's first national cup final in its 111-year history; whilst it was Dundee United's first since winning the Scottish Cup only a year beforehand in 1994. The tournament was contested by clubs below the Scottish Premier Division; Dundee United from the First Division and Stenhousemuir the first club to reach the final from the Second Division.
After 90 minutes of normal time and 30 minutes of extra time the score was 0–0 so the winner was decided by a penalty shoot-out;[3] the first Scottish Challenge Cup final to be decided this way. In a best-of-five, Craig Brewster took the first penalty for Dundee United which was saved by Stenhousemuir goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie.[4] Both clubs scored each of their next penalties which meant Stenhousemuir won 5–4.[5] [6] The result was notable in that Dundee United progressed through every round of tournament without conceding a single goal and still lost the final.
See also: 1995–96 Scottish Challenge Cup.
| width=80 | Round ! width=160 | Opposition ! width=80 | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second round | Montrose (h) | 3–1 | |
| Quarter-final | Dundee (a) | 3–0 | |
| Semi-final | Stirling Albion (a) | 2–1 |
| width=80 | Round ! width=160 | Opposition ! width=80 | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| First round | Stranraer (a) | 2–0 | |
| Second round | Hamilton Academical (h) | 3–0 | |
| Quarter-final | Clydebank (a) | 1–0 | |
| Semi-final | Dunfermline Athletic (a) | 4–0 |
Stenhousemuir had played only one game at their home of Ochilview Park and two away in the games preceding the final. Dundee United also played one home game but played three away from home. Despite receiving a bye into the second round, Stenhousemuir amassed a total of eight goals scored with only two conceded, whilst keeping one clean sheet. Dundee United scored a total of ten goals and conceded none before the final, thus amassing a total of four clean sheets. This was the first appearance for both Stenhousemuir and Dundee United in the Scottish Challenge Cup final since its inauguration in 1990.
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| width=50% valign=top | MATCH RULES
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Dundee United failed to concede a single goal throughout the entire tournament but still lost the final in the form of a penalty shootout against Stenhousemuir. This was Stenhousemuir's first national silverware since 1902.
