Dundee 1
St Johnstone 1
League (Premier League)

Match Report

The last match to be staged at Dens Park this century failed to produce a winner.

And as respective managers Jocky Scott and Sandy Clark reflected upon the outcome you were left with the distinct impression that they were delighted just to put the game behind them and head into the shutdown.

On a pitch that in spite of having been protected by a hot air dome and frost covers had a wintry look about it. Saints led through Nathan Lowndes ninth goal of the season but Willie Falconer's 11th counter of the campaign secured Dundee their first draw this term.

The result maintained the Dark Blues abject home record they have won just five of 16 league fixtures at Dens during 1999-and left them still without a top-flight victory over St Johnstone on their own patch for almost seven years

But boss Scott was grateful for the point.

"In the end I have to be pleased we didn't lose the game. he admitted.

"We started very poorly, handing St Johnstone the initiative, and it took us fully 30 minutes to get going. To be fair, the lads battled their way back into the match, and I liked that aspect of the display.

"But too many players did not perform to their potential and hopefully the break will do us the world of good."

Opposite number Clark said, "That's four points from our last two games, both of them away from home, and that is acceptable. I thought we deserved our lead but Willie Falconer is very good in the air and he scored with what from Dundee's point of view was a great header.

They were always going to put us under pressure after half-time-what disappointed me was we had good possession in the final third but didn't hurt them on the counter."

Midfielder Nick Dasovic, as expected, failed to recover from his ankle injury in time to play and he has been withdrawn from the Canadian squad for a series of Gold Cup warm-up friendlies next month. But Clark disclosed that keeper Alan Main, who has been dogged by a groin problem which will require surgery and an estimated 13-week recuperation, is to soldier on.

"The problem isn't going to go away but Alan looked fine today and the thinking at the moment is to work hard on him over the next three weeks and try to leave the op until it is absolutely necessary," he said.

In the course of dominating the opening half hour Saints saw John McQuillan clip the top of Dundee's crossber from 30 yards and John Paul McBride squander a wonderful chance when he skied a free header from a Nathan Lowndes centre.

But Saints survived a couple of narrow squeaks themselves before Lowndes struck a minute before the interval.

Main showed safe hands when Falconer powered in a downward header from a Steven Boyack free-kick as Dundee finally got into the game.

However, a subsequent mishandle nearly gifted the Dark Blues the lead. Main should have little trouble dealing with a Boyack drive but he fumbled.

Falconer was first to the loose ball only for his shot to be deflected on to the crossbar by the body of the diving keeper-and when the rebound landed at the feet of the unmarked Gavin Rae he lashed it high over the bar.

It was, in truth, a desperate miss by Rae and one which returned to haunt Dundee when Lee Sharp's misdirected header from a John O'Neil fell to Lowndes who, having been thwarted by a Robert Douglas block, enjoyed the immense good fortune of the ball ricochet ng back off his thigh and into the net.

"It was a lucky break but of the type we as a team haven't been getting of late and I hope this is an indication our luck is turning," said Lowndes, sporting a cut and bruised eye socket-the legacy of a clash of heads with Steven Tweed which left him needing two stitches.

"The manager has kept faith with me even though my performances have dropped a bit in the last few weeks and I'm delighted to a respond with a goal"

With 59 minutes gone-Dens chief Scott, looking to spark his side into life, sent on James Grady for Frank Ivan Eijs, moved the until then annoymous Nicky Banger to left midfield and switched to a back four.

And from there on Dundee looked a much more dangerous outfit, creating a series of decent openings.

First Falconer knocked down a Sharp cross for the unhindered Boyack who from 12 yards produced a finish that rekindled memories of Rae's first-half squander.

Then Falconer helped on a Boyack pass for Grady to produce a glancing header which just cleared the junc tion of post and bar.

And, with 77 minutes gone, the Dark Blues got back on level terms with a simple goal, Barry Smith crossing from his right-back beat and Falconer rising above Weir to nod past Main.

Banger, much more of a factor in his new role, might have snatched a winner when he got away from John McQuillan but Main blocked his right-foot shot.

Dundee's Patrizio Billio was cautioned (challenge on Keith O'Halloran) after just 30 seconds and he was followed into the book by Saints' Gary Bollan, who was fortunate to escape more serious punishment after going over the top of the ball to Van Eijs, and McQuillan (persistent fouling).

Match report written by The Courier