Dundee 1
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

The final derby of the season produced yet another in the catalogue of games in which, having established a lead, we allowed it to slip. Brian Welsh was a straight replacement for the injured Dave Narey whilst Grant Johnson had to pull out with flu on the morning of the match, so Christian Dailly moved into midfield with Paddy Connolly restored to a striking berth.

Dundee began spiritedly, but United were soon making headway towards Pageau in the Dark Blues' goal as he collected a straight forward shot from Paddy Connolly. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he fluffed his clearance upfield and the ball landed right at the feet of Craig Brewster who immediately returned the ball over the keeper and into the net from 30 yards to give us the lead. The first half was dominated by United and we were unlucky not to go two up ten minutes from the interval when Gordan Petric floated a long free-kick into the box which Craig Brewster flicked on with his head and Alex Cleland ran in from the right to send an angular header inches wide of the far post. Two minutes from the break, however, with Dundee having rarely threatened, the home side equalised. Brian Welsh conceded a needless corner and Noel Blake knocked the ball down for Neil Duffy to steer a diving header away from Guido van de Kamp.

There was a lively opening to the second period as first Britton fired a shot over and immediately at the other end Paddy Connolly's curling shot after he cut in from the right was deflected for a corner. Ten minutes later Guido van de Kamp clawed away Britton's header which skidded off the sodden surface as we faced into the now driving rain. Aided by the elements Dundee imposed a spell of pressure which was almost broken by a goal at the other end. Dave Bowman sent over a cross from the right which Jim Mclnally met, but he couldn't get enough power behind his shot to beat Pageau. United re-asserted their authority on the game and had loud claims for a penalty dismissed when Paddy Connolly went down in the box with Farningham looking culpable. Before the end both sides had chances to snatch victory with Paddy Connolly curling one wide of the far post and in the very last minute Guido van de Kamp made a diving save to block a flashing first-timer from Pittman. But the way in which we dropped yet another point had an all too familiar ring to it!