Aberdeen 0
Dundee 0
League Cup (Group 3)

Match Report

A fine first-half performance in attack, complemented by brave defending after the break, earned Dundee a vital League Cup point at Pittodrie last night.

The Dens Parkers pattern of defending in numbers and moving forward at pace caused the Dons real headaches.

A share of the points was probably a fair reflection of the proceedings, although the lack of goals bears false testimony to some fine attacking play by both sides.

Young Tosh McKinlay, Andy Geddes, keeper Bobby Geddes and George McGeachie were best for Dundee while Weir was the most effective Don.

Aberdeen will be bitterly disappointed at dropping this point in what is rapidly becoming a really tight League Cup section, which they still lead-but only on goal difference.

Golden chance Stuart McKimmie, listed as a full-back but operating in midfield, gave Dundee a golden chance to open the scoring in only three minutes.

Ian Ferguson moved on to McKimmie's through pass and managed to poke the ball under the advancing Leighton, but big Alex. McLeish was on hand to clear the ball right in front of the Dons' goal. Seconds later Andy Geddes broke through the Dons' defence only to slip at the vital moment.

A Peter Weir corner at the other end found Falconer, but the youngster's header bounced once before landing safely in the arms of Geddes.

Dundee's attacking flair was surprising the home side and the 13th minute almost proved unlucky for the dual cupholders.

George McGeachie fired in a powerful 20-yarder which Leighton did well to parry. The rebound fell to Geddes but his header was weak and easily held by the keeper.

Bobby Geddes was called into action a minute later producing a brilliant fingertip save to turn a raging Peter Weir drive round for a corner.

Then a clever cross from Cammie Fraser got the Dons' back division into all sorts of bother.

Leighton came to meet it but his punch rebounded off Miller, leaving the ball bouncing loose right in front of the Aberdeen goal. Neale Cooper, however, kept his head and cleared for a corner before a Dundee player could capitalise.

On the whole, the Dundee defence had been looking assured but a Weir corner caused a scramble inside the six-yard box, ended only by a timely clearance by Stephen.

It took the woodwork to deny Dundee a deserved half-time lead with Walker McCall turning and driving in a shot from close range which, with Leighton beaten, came back off the post.

From the restart Aberdeen were quickly on the offensive and Weir squandered a fine chance, shooting well over with both time and space to spare.

In 50 minutes it took a timely tackle by Jim Smith to prevent Falconer from opening the scoring after the youngster had turned well on to a Simpson cross.

The Scottish internationalist put Weir away on the left just four minutes later and Mark McGhee's header from the cross wasn't far off target.

Dundee were being pressed right back into their own box and they had Bobby Geddes to thank in 63 minutes when he coolly turned over a powerful 30-yarder from John McMaster.

In the first real attack of the second half skipper Cammy Fraser almost did the trick for Dundee, but Jim Leighton stuck out a leg to block his shot.

Cammy recovered to pick the ball up on the right and cross for Ray Stephen to get in a header, but Leighton was again on hand to earn his money.

In 75 minutes, Aberdeen switched Hewitt for Falconer in an attempt to penetrate the Dens defence.

A Weir corner found Cooper at the back post and with Geddes beaten the midfielder's header came back off the bar.

The limping Gordon Strachan was replaced by Stark ten minutes from time.

Aberdeen had a penalty claim turned down by Mr Syme after a Weir shot had struck the hand of George McGeachie.

Match report written by The Sporting Post