Dundee 0
Livingston 1
League (Premier League)

Match Report

Dundee's five match unbeaten run in the City of Discovery came to an end thanks to Burton O'Brien's strike. fine That came four minutes into the second half of a match where the Dark Blues simply didn't show the spirit or passion required to get a result.

The weekend's results blew the Bank of Scotland Premier League relegation fight wide open, moving Livingston to level with Dundee United and just two points behind Dundee. The early stages of the encounter showed both sides performing nervously with passes going astray all over the field, but whilst Dundee continued in that vein, Livi' eventually began to take control without ever being really comfortable.

The visitors created the first chance of the match with Gabor Vincze picking up the ball from a poor defensive header and attempting a left foot curler into the top corner, the Hungarian international was off target with his effort.

At the other end John Sutton attempted to curl a long-range effort home, but Roddy McKenzie comfortably held it.

Livingston came close in the 25th minute when a corner from Jason Dair was allowed to bounce around the box and the home fans were grateful to see Barry Smith step in to clear from almost on his own goal-line.

Lee Wilkie had Dundee's first real opportunity ten minutes before the break when he met Steven Robb's cross, but his header flew well over. The visitors had a shout for a penalty turned down three minutes later as Dair tumbled easily under Robb's challenge, but referee Mike McCurry wasn't interested in their claims.

Burton O'Brien and young Snodgrass had been Livingston's most effective players and they almost combined in the opening minutes of the second half the former just failing to find the latter with his pass after being allowed to advance thirty yards without a challenge.

It was a warning of his abilities for the Dee, but they failed to heed it and were made to suffer three minutes later.

Again O'Brien advanced without a serious tackle being made but this time, he curled a great 22-yarder past Soutar for what would prove to be the only goal of the match.

At last, Dundee upped the pace somewhat and they could have been level within minutes had Lovell managed to get a touch on Fabian Caballero's low sixteen yard drive as it whizzed past the post.

For a spell Dundee pinned Livi' back, but the West Lothian side were rarely in trouble, and in fact, looked the more likely side to score when they broke up field. Indeed, they had the ball in the net again on 76 minutes, but Colin McMenamin's use of a hand in putting it there, brought him only a yellow card and a mouthful from keeper Soutar.

Jim Duffy introduced Glen Larsen and Scott Robertson for Fotheringham and Barrett with twelve minutes remaining. but that failed to produce any more creativity and Livingston comfortably ran down the clock to earn a massive three points.

They'd brought a much larger than usual support to Tayside and those fans chorused "We're not going down" at their heroes as they left the field. They'd certainly given themselves chance now.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme