Heart of Midlothian 1
Dundee 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Courier.

Many weeks of toil and worry for Dundee ended at Tynecastle Park, when they earned the point that ensures their survival in the Premier League-barring a miraculous performance by St Johnstone on Saturday.

It was easy to spot the most disappointed onlooker. Manager Alex Rennie of Saints watched Dundee virtually close the door on his own team in the relegation stakes.

The final fixture against Saints at Dens on Saturday could have been a nail-biting decider as well as a money spinner. Now it means little-unless Saints win by nine clear goals!

Dundee's point last night was hard earned, and they had the added difficulty of coming from behind. An early goal for Hearts-so good that no opposition could have done much about it-failed to knock the stuffing from the visitors. They plugged away, and got the inspiration they required just after the interval from Jim McInally, surely the "loan" player of the season.

He nott only scored the equaliser but was clearly the man of the match in a midfield role, well assisted by another youngster, Tosh McKinlay.

I've no doubt Dundee have played better than this for less reward. But in the special circumstances of last night the only thing that mattered to the Dens Parkers is that they retain their top status and they certainly fought hard for it.

In a quiet opening spell the only events of note were the referee's rejection of the match ball after less than a minute's play and a Glennie passback that bounced high over his keeper's head- though well away from goal.

Mcinally got in the first effort for Dundee. He collected a pass from McCall and his shot looked good until it was deflected past the scrambling Smith for a corner kick. In 10 minutes, in their first real attack, Hearts scored a brilliant goal.

The ball went slickly from Alex. MacDonald to Bone to. Robertson and finally to Mackay, whose fierce shot went high into the net past Geddes.

Dundee had a chance five minutes later after some good work by McKinlay on the left. His final pass to McCall was pushed on for Ferguson to have a crack at goal from 15 yards. Unfortunately, the striker only half-hit the ball, though the bounce still troubled Smith as he saved. McCall seemed to be pushed in the back as he tried to connect with a Kidd cross, but the ref was unmoved.

Keeping up their attack, the visitors forced Gauld to head desperately past his own post. Yet it was Hearts, smoother in attack, who went closest to scoring again in 27 minutes.

A twice-taken free-kick by Jardine reached Bowman, who hooked his shot off the post with Geddes beaten. Robertson tried to knock in the rebound, but the ball went past the post.

The Dens defence looked vulnerable at this stage in the face of some snappy forward play from Hearts. A quick move involving Jardine and Bone ended with a Robertson shot thundering past the post.

McCall had to go off for a few minutes' treatment and returned to push an inviting ball into the path of the onrushing Kidd, keeper Smith came out in the nick of time to clear.

A strong shot from McInally, but straight to the keeper, kept up the Dens men's fight. At the other end Geddes had to fist away a dangerous-looking cross from Bowman.

Dundee attacked with determination on the restart. McKinlay and McInally combined well on the left and, when McInally crossed, Ferguson's header at the far post hit the top of the bar before going over.

In 50 minutes the visitors got the equaliser.

It followed a claim by Hearts that Dundee had taken a foul throw and, for a moment, the linesman seemed to agree though the ref took no action.

McKinlay quickly slung the ball into the middle.where it found McInally unmarked and in perfect position.

He ran on to score via the post with the Dundee fans behind the goal cheering their heads off.

It was all action now and Hearts' Smith had to turn aside a shot from Dundee's Smith. After a strong penalty claim for hands against the Dundee defender had been refused, Hearts had Gauld booked for fouling McInally.

In 67 minutes Hearts brought on Johnston for Alex. MacDonald and Dundee promptly replaced McGeachie with Harris. Geddes held an awkward bouncing shot from Cowie and Dundee replied with a Ferguson shot well off target as he lunged at a Shannon cross which didn't quite reach him.

At this stage the Dens Parkers were 20 minutes from safety and fighting hard for that precious point. Mackie came on for McCall as Dundee committed their second sub in 75 minutes.

Ferguson put over a great ball for Harris to run on to and the low shot from the sub hit a defender before going past the post. The non-stop McInally found himself booked in 78 minutes for a tackle on Gauld.

It was on to the final nail-biting stages. Johnston was another Hearts booking as he brought down Kidd from behind. Ferguson had another miss from a long-range chance laid on by Richardson.

The ref paid a late visit to the visitors' dug-out for a word with Archie Knox, who must have been on tenterhooks as the minutes ticked away.

But, in fact, Dundee held on comfortably in the end for that point which had their fans applauding them off the pitch.