CASABA LASZLO, the new Dundee United manger, promised his title-chasing hopefuls would be ready for crunch Championship business after his first game in charge ended in embarrassment with part-time Crusades FC crushing his hopes of getting off to a flier.

Former Hearts manager Laszlo was remaining in bullish spirits in the wake of this sloppy start with super sub Gavin Whyte assuming hero status thanks to his stoppage-time winner to seal a fabulous fight back for the Irish visitors.

The 53-year old Hungarian looked set to get his reign off to a winning start when Fraser Fyvie’s fabulous strike gave them a second-half lead, only for Dave Cushley to head home a 67th minute equaliser before Whyte struck with almost the last kick of the ball.

United had lifted this trophy with victory over St Mirren at Fir Park back in March but now all thoughts will turn to winning promotion back to the Premiership with Falkirk his first test next Sunday in their pursuit of top-flight status.

Laszlo said: “It’s interesting because I think it’s better to lose this game and win against Falkirk in the league next Sunday.

“It’s better to get this splash in the face now than against Falkirk.

“Ok, it wasn’t easy as this was the first time this team had played together and we were taking this competition seriously.

“But there’s no question. It’s so important to get a win in my first league game.

“Falkirk are a better team than Crusaders so we will get a full week’s training under our belts and get ready for Sunday.

“Falkirk are definitely a better team than their league position shows and we know we have to be ready for that.”

Laszlo made a host of changes from the side which defeated joint Championship leaders St Mirren 2-1 the previous weekend.

Keeper Deniz Mehmet repacked on-loan Southampton youngster Harry Lewis between the sticks while William Edjenguele and Paul McMullan both returned as youngsters Graham Taylor, Gavin Ritchie and Jordan Hornby all started for the holders.

The hosts were eager to impress their watching boss and McMullan borough out a booking from Cushley in 15 minutes as he tried to set the tone for the afternoon.

Then, in 35 minutes, the visitors were presented with a golden opportunity to take a shock lead.

Fraser Fyvie lost possession midway inside his own half, allowing Cushley to stride clear as the hosts frantically tried to retrieve the situation.

It looked like Cushley would opt for power but instead the midfielder preferred to try to chip the advancing Mehmet, and his effort lacked purchase so the home keeper gathered comfortably.

The second-half started with Billy King replacing Scott Allardice in a bid to lift the tempo having watched their opponents go untroubled for much of the first period.

Former Hearts winger King at least injected some life into things with his pace and direct approach which had the visiting defence on their toes.

And the eventually made the breakthrough in style in 55 minutes.

King cut in from the left and laid the ball off to Fyvie who wasted no time in rattling an unstoppable shot high into Brian Jensen’s top corner from 22-yards.

However, the Irish side refused to buckle and levelled in 67 minutes.

Jamie Glackin’s corner eluded the entire United defence and Cushley was all alone as he stooped to head home from close-range.

King did see his late effort from distance tipped wide by Jensen, before super sub Whyte popped up to seal secure the Irish outfit’s place in the semi-final by drilling his low finish across Mehmet after substitute Jordan Owens had helped on Jensen’s thunderous kick-out downfield.

Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter said: “We’re delighted to get a result against a top team like Dundee United.

“We had other chances which we might have taken before we got the winner and then our keeper makes a wonderful save just prior to that.

“We have a huge match against Linfield on Wednesday night so we rested five or six top players with a view to that.

“Now we’ve got this far we’ll give it a right good go to try and win the cup.”

Teams:

Dundee United: Mehmet 6, Quinn 6 , McMullan 5, , N’Koyi 5 , Edjenguele 6 , Allardice 4 (King 46,6 ) Keatings 6 (Smith 88, 1), Fyvie 7 , Taylor 6, Ritchie 6, Hornby 6. Booked: McMullan (45), Taylor (74) Unused substitutes: Donaldson (gk), Murdoch, Robson, Chalmers, Thomas

Crusaders FC: Jensen 6, , McChrystal 6 , Beverland 5, , Ward 6 , Brown6, McClean 6, Caddell 6 (Burns 85, 1) Forsythe 6, Snoddy 5 (Whyte 62, 2) Glackin 6 (Owens 80, 1) Cushley 8. Booked: Cushley (16), Caddell (65). Unused Substitutes Dougherty (gk),, Coates,, Heatley, Kerr

Referee: R Hennessy