Dundee 0
Kilmarnock 0
League Cup (2nd Round 1st Leg)

Match Report

A 0-0 cup tie hardly sounds exciting. In fact this was one of the liveliest games at Dens Park in a long time.

The no-goal result is also an injustice to a Dundee team who had their Premier opponents on the rack for most of the 90 minutes.

Their work-rate was always tremendous, their football often good. Only the goals they de served eluded them through faulty, over anxious finishing though they got few breaks in front of goal.

Despite this hard luck story Killie will now be favourites to clinch this League Cup tie in the second leg in three weeks time. But much better league days must lie ahead for the Dens Parkers if they can maintain the form of last night.

Dundee were almost ahead in three minutes. Mackie shot from 20 yards, the ball deflected off a defender, and on to the Killie bar with keeper McCul loch caught off his line.

Schaedler's shot soon after, following a short free-kick, also had McCulloch worried.

This was an encouraging start for the home side but they were a wee bit anxious, and Mackie blazed another shot well wide from an acute angle.

Killie didn't raise any threat until the 15th minute, when Geddes had to push a weak shot from McBride round the post.

It was a clear cut chance for the Killie winger.

Dundee were busy, bustling and worrying to the big Killie defence. McCulloch went full stretch to save from Fletcher after an incisive move down the left.

In 21 minutes there was another let-off for the visitors as Fleming crossed and a header. from Fletcher just failed to beat the keeper.

At the other end, after a defensive slip, Bourke tapped the ball towards the empty net so weakly that Geddes was able to run back and clear before it crossed the line. There was plenty of incident in this cup-tie.

It continued that way, Dundee building up their moves well and doing most of the attacking. though Killie were always dangerous on the break.

Just before half-time there were near things at both ends. Sinclair got clean through for Dundee only to shoot against the keeper and immediately after Street missed a golden chance to put Killie in front.

Barr came on at half time for McGeachie, who took a knock in the first half.

Jocky Scott, a driving force for Dundee, set up a fine early chance after a strong run down the middle. His final pass was ruined when three teammates got all tangled up.

Scott again started a move which ended with Shirra shooting wide from good position.

It was non-stop Dundee effort and pressure with only the vital finishing touch absent. Clarke cleared off the line following a Scott corner.

Schaedler burst through, Mackie took his pass, and shot hurriedly over the bar. He did the same soon after. Dundee badly needed a cool head in the penalty box.

But consternation for home fans in 70 minutes when MacLaren pulled down Maxwell in the box. Then jubilation as the referee decided no penalty.

A minute later McDicken was booked for a foul on Barr.

Murphy became Dundee's second sub, replacing Fleming as the home side continued to hammer away.

Yet Kelly should have scored in the final minute. McBride failed to take advantage of the chance when Geddes became stranded out of his goal. The visitors' winger shot wide.

Match report written by The Courier