Dundee United 2
Dundee 2
League (Premier League)

Match Report

There are days when you're glad to get out of the match with a draw - You don't think that way when you're two up, but this was one of those days.

For all that our opponents had midfield domination in the first forty five minutes, they rarely looked like scoring. In fact, their best chance of a first half counter came via a cross which was missed by everyone and brilliantly saved by Julian Speroni. He had other saves to make but a top class keeper, and Julian is top class, was always likely to get them. The introduction of Jason Scotland eight minutes into the second half changed all that though.

Dundee took a while to get to grips with the Trinidadian striker, and by the time that they did United were back in the match.

Ian McCall said afterwards that he doubted that United would again dominate a derby like this one in his time at Tannadice, it was hard to disagree, his team certainly hadn't had as much of the play in his previous two draws and a defeat since taking over at the bottom end of Sandeman Street.

In contrast, this draw means that Dundee haven't lost to their local rivals in two years or to put it another way since Jim Duffy returned to the club.

His comments that United had all the good players afield were off target though, you wouldn't have swapped one of Dundee's defence for any of United's - nor would any of his first choice strikers have got a game for the Dark Blues on this showing.

Now you'd make an exception for Jason Scotland, his entry turned this game-and within two minutes of his introduction, United had halved Dundee's advantage.

It has to be said - why did Dundee ever recommend the Trinidad striker to our neighbours after he had failed to impress in his trial at Dens, but that's being picky-ho was, far more threat than former Dee Billy Dodds, the second half man of the match. His arrival instantly carved out a chance, United hadn't looked like getting, and came shortly after Steven Robb had spurned a great opportunity to put the two and a half thousand Dark Blues in the stadium in ecstasy.

Once Dodds had taken advantage of Scotland's instant impact to reduce the leeway United poured forward and it took a while for Scotland's threat to be negated- that came when he was more closely marshalled by his good friend Brent Sancho.

Brent seemed to know how to deal with him and Dundee seemed more likely to hang onto a slender lead.

That changed with six minutes to go, United had most of their team in Dundee's area when Jim Paterson's cross came in and Billy Dodds went down in spectacular fashion for the latest in a run another soft awards against the Dark Blues.

Julian was the penalty king in his first year at Dens, but he's not got near one recently and Dodds was the latest to send the keeper the wrong way as he fired his low drive into the bottom comer.

It was really no more than United deserved. as from the moment Scotland was introduced, they looked to have an edge denied to them by McCall's initial selection. By contrast, Dundee's first half display showed how to make the best of scant opportunities.

Steve Lovell knocking home a fine header from Milne's cross after Robson had made a mess of Robb's ball into the box and Milne then taking advantage of a Lovell through ball to time a shot perfectly and score to double the lead.

If young Steven Robb had taken another chance just after half time, Dundee could have been on easy street-as it was a point was a relief.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme