Dundee 1
Dundee United 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

This wasn't the best Tayside derby of all time. But it contained more than enough incident and controversy to retain the crowd's interest right to the very last second of injury-time.

An incredible first half saw both physio therapists, Eric Ferguson and Jim Joyce, in action more often than some of the players! There were five lengthy injury stoppages in that torrid first 45 minutes, with Dundee playing with 10 men for 13 minutes, and actually equalising when they could muster just 9 and a half fit players!

After that there was no way the second half could be as thrilling although you always sensed this game had a sting in the tail. Eventually it petered out as a draw-just about right.

There was no warning of the first-half drama until Dave Bowman caught Tosh McKinlay low. After five minutes of treatment on the bench it was obvious McKinlay was in no fit state to continue and lain Angus came on.

Then, an lain Ferguson tackle left McGeachie hobbling, and before Dundee could make up their minds whether to commit their second substitute, Glennie clashed with Thomson.

Poor Bobby was laid off with blood streaming from a head gash, and although Thomson continued after treatment he appeared distinctly groggy.

Amazingly, in the middle of Dundee's disarray they equalised with as clever a goal as you will ever come across. Lawrence played the ball through to Coyne, 14 yards out. Cute as you like, Tommy flicked the ball first time with the outside of his left foot over the advancing Thomson and just under the bar.

Glennie then re-appeared allowing Harvey to replace McGeachie. Something like normality returned.

United had earlier taken the lead when McGeachie was short with a headed pass back and Ferguson had the ball in the net before you could blink.

However, United rarely displayed the fluency for which they are famed. Their's was a real stop-go performance. They finished strongly and looked far better once Redford replaced the ineffective

Beaumont. Malpas, Clark, Gordon McLeod and Red ford were their best.

Considering Dundee's problems they will probably be happier with a point than United. They played some neat football although rarely looked like adding to Coyne's goal.

Despite all the injuries this could never be termed a dirty game, although Referee Duncan booked three names - Gordon MacLeod for a foul on Shannon, Brown for a challenge on Malpas and Lawrence for barging Redford off the ball.

Man of the match-JIM SMITH. He re peatedly grabs the headlines but on this occasion he really did hold Dundee's defence together.