Aberdeen 0
Dundee 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from Bill McFarlane | The Sunday Post.

Dundee started this game as 16-1 outsiders fixed-odds coupons. Which goes to prove even the bookies can't be right all the time.

The underdogs from Dens Park could actually have won e game and created one of the biggest upsets of the season. They had chances just before and just after half-time.

At the end of the day, however, a draw was just about right. As you'd expect, Aberdeen finished strongly, but Dundee held firm.

The game was an anti-climax for the champions elect- especially after the heady heights they scaled last week. They never approached the form that demolished Celtic, and were ragged and untidy all afternoon.

There was little flair or inventiveness and Dundee had few problems earning a point.

Mind you, injuries to key players hardly helped Aberdeen's cause.

Alex McLeish came off after only 17 minutes with substitute Neale Cooper going straight to centre-half.

When Tommy McQueen was forced off just after half-time, Dons had to reshuffle with Ian Angus moving to left-back and substitute Steve Cowan occupying his midfield role.

Don't let the scoreline give you the impression Dundee came to Pittodrie just to shut up shop, though. The visitors attacked at every opportunity and again showed they are a far better team than their league position indicates.

It took a tremendous save from Jim Leighton to prevent Walker McCall scoring in the first half. Then Ray Stephen completely miskicked in front of goal in the second after a fine Dundee move.

The closest Aberdeen came to scoring in the first half was when 'keeper Carson kicked the ball off the line from McDougall.

Then, midway through the second period, McDougall was even more unlucky. He wheeled brilliantly in the box and shot past Carson only to see the ball rebound to safety from the inside of the post.

McKimmie and Miller were Aber- deen's best defenders, Simpson easily their most effective midfield player, and McDougall looked as if he could have won the match up front if he'd had better service.

There were three bookings; McKinlay for barging Hewitt in the back, McDougall for a foul on McKinlay, and Cowan for hauling down McCall when the big striker was racing in on Leighton.

Man of the Match - JIM SMITH.

Not the most elegant of players in the world, but big Jim was mighty effective here none the less. His long legs and aerial power gave Dundee a solid basis to work from.