Aberdeen 3
Dundee 3
League (Premier League)

Match Report

Dundee's defensive play so much praised since the winter break was causing serious cause for concern after a second consecutive match where a two-goal half time lead was thrown away.

After the Killie game Jim Duffy had shown a certain amount of sympathy for his players, but he was raging as he faced the media in the wake of the Pittodrie defensive debacle.

Dundee were as expected missing a regular, suffering from a virus, but it was a blow to the thousand plus travelling support when they realised that the missing man was Georgi Nemsadze. Barry Smith returned to the starting line up after missing the Killie game through injury.

After an even opening during which both sides threatened, but failed to deliver, Dundee took the lead from the penalty spot on the quarter hour mark.

Steven Milne held up the ball on the left and his flick came off the hand of Michael Hart, whether there was any intent in his handball is debatable but Hart was one of the few Dons not to protest as Mr Fyfe pointed to the spot. Steve Lovell wasn't having any debate over who should take the kick and rammed the ball into the bottom corner to take his tally for the campaign to nine goals.

Aberdeen almost got level in 19 minutes as Hinds got in a powerful downwards header which came off the foot of the post with Speroni beaten, it rebounded along the six yard line with Lee Wilkie eventually stabbing away the loose ball.

Six minutes later the Dees appeared to be on easy street as Lovell was allowed acres of space to dribble inside the Dons area before passing to Caballero who fired a low 12-yarder across the keeper and into the net.

Dundee now began to look a good side going forward and they were inches away from a killer final ball on several occasions in the period following that second goal. At the other end Derek Young made a mess of a header from a good position and Dundee's inability to stop crosses being fired into the danger area was already causing concern.

Steven Milne had, along with Lovell, looked busy throughout the half and he evened up the woodwork count as half time approached with a rasping angled drive to which the Danish keeper appeared to get the slightest touch before it cracked off the post.

The half time interval saw a contented travelling support, but the nagging doubt caused by the loss of that two goal lead against Killie would have made sure that few were taking anything for granted. It was a sensible attitude to take as déjà vu was about to set in, Aberdeen pushed forward as the second half got underway, but the Dark Blues defence seemed to be handling the threat reasonably well until the Dons pulled a goal back in 57 minutes.

The Dark Blues didn't pick up midfield runner Sheerin as he raced onto a lay off at the edge of the box and the former Ayr United man drilled a low shot past Speroni.

Worse was to follow as Aberdeen cut Dundee apart down the wings with Clark looking very lively, he set up the equaliser eight minutes later cutting in from the left and threading a great ball into Sheerin who was again in loads of space as he fired an angled drive home to deflate the Dark Blues.

At last Dundee seemed to realise that their best hope was to start playing football again and they caused Aberdeen plenty of problems in the aftermath of that goal with Gavin Rae going close when he dragged a shot from 20 yards narrowly wide of the target.

Still struggling at the back, disaster loomed as the Dons took the lead with eleven minutes remaining.

The defence had several chances to clear before Rutkiewicz looped in a cross and most would have bet on Speroni getting at least some contact as the ball arrived four yards out. He had three Dons players around him though and crumpled in a heap claiming a foul as McGuire headed home.

Now the Dees should have been beaten, but they got back level just thirty seconds later as the home side switched off big time, sub Novo's low cross from the right being swept into an almost unguarded net by Lee Wilkie from 10 yards.

Darren Young fired in a 30 yarder as time ran out but it lacked power and Speroni gathered easily while with just seconds remaining Novo got free down the right and fired into the side netting with three of his team mates screaming for a pass.

In truth if Dundee had scored then it would have been a barely deserved win, Aberdeen had played well in the second half and would probably have won if they had concentrated for just a couple of minutes after taking the lead. Another thrilling game perhaps, but it lacked much individual flair and taking a solitary point cast doubt about retaining a place in the top six.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme