Dundee 1
Heart of Midlothian 1
League (First Division)

Match Report

There was a boost before the game for the Dark Blues with the news that both Billy Pirie and lain Phillip were fir for this important clash. Also included in the home ranks was winger Alan Simpson from Whitburn who had done well in his second half debut in what otherwise had been an instantly forgettable 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Queen of the South in the League Cup the previous

Lining up for Hearts were Dave McNicoll recently signed from Montrose and Drew Busby who had just completed a suspension. Jim Jefferies, Hearts current gaffer, was in the Maroons' side that afternoon.

Although all the early play was in the direction of Ray Dunlop in the Hearts goal with Dundee creating nearly all the chances, the first really close call came after 21 minutes at the other end.

Rab Prentice swung over a high ball which deceived Thomson Allan who only just managed to get a hand to it and push it on to the bar before the ball was cleared.

Then it was the turn of Hearts to be let off the hook. A long ball from John McPhail eluded everyone. Dunlop ran from his charge to knock it away from Billy Pirie, but only as far as Alan Simpson, but the newcomer hit his first time effort wide of the open target.

First lain Phillip had to go off after receiving a facial injury in the 34th minute and worse followed a couple of minutes later when Hearts grabbed an undeserved lead. Thomson Allan managed to push away a tremendous drive by Eamonn Bannon, but couldn't prevent Rab Prentice nipping in to steer the ball home just inside the post.

The visitors barely deserved their interval lead in this thriller and justice was served when Dundee got back on level terms in the 54th minute. Good build up involving Gordon Strachan who left Brown stranded saw him make progress deep into the Hearts half before passing to Alan Simpson. His cross found Billy Williamson just inside the box and his low drive beat Dunlop at his right-hand post.

The goal came at just the right time because Dundee had begun to go off the boil and added new impetus to their efforts.

However, there was to be no winner, but at least October which had otherwise been a less than memorable month finished with this promising performance.

On an afternoon of adversity with two men having to go off injured and going undeservedly behind, the main topic of debate was how the Dark Blues could have so much of the play, but let so many chances go abegging.

And that point dropped was to be vital at the end of the day, because it enabled Hearts, and not Dundee, to finish runners-up behind Morton to gain promotion come the following April.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme