Dundee 1
Dundee United 2
League (Premier League)

Match Report

Derby specialists Steve Lovell and Jim McIntyre were on target in the crucial relegation battle, but the latter was seen slumped to the ground and disconsolate at the final whistle after McIntyre's winner had ended Dundee's long unbeaten run in the city clash and left Dundee still deep in the mire at the foot of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Dundee started the match well and, with Fabian Caballero holding the ball up until support arrived, looked the more likely in the first early stages. Garry Brady came close with an effort from the edge of the box as they pressed United back. That changed on eighteen minutes as the Argentinean departed the action with a muscle injury to his side, which was preventing him breathing properly. With his departure United began to edge forward more and more and Soutar had to be alert to punch away a wickedly swinging corner from Robson and minutes later Mark Wilson curled a free kick over the wall and Soutar, who was grateful to see it clip the top of the bar and go over.

The visitors came near to scoring again as the first half came to a close, Robson whipped in a cross that McIntyre met on the volley only for Bobby Mann to throw himself in and block the effort, from the resultant corner United claimed for a penalty but youngster Kenneth who crashed to the deck was rightly viewed by referee Dougie McDonald as a dive United were in the ascendancy again as the second period kicked off and Crawford showed fine skill to lift the ball over Mann only to waste the shooting opportunity by blasting his effort over.

United went ahead in 52 minutes and it came from a Wilson free kick after Kitamirike had handled. The United full back didn't get a great contact on his effort from the set piece but as it went through a crowded box it bobbled on the pitch, deceiving Barry Smith who was attempting to clear, leaving Soutar unsighted.

Seven minutes later United appeared certain to go two up as Duff sent Crawford free, the Scotland striker dithered though and Soutar managed to delay his effort until Smith could get into position to clear his weak effort off the line.

Dundee had had little in the way of pressure but Steve Lovell changed. the game in one superb burst forward which left Ritchie gasping for breath in his wake, as he cut into the box and turned for goal he was brought down by Kenneth and Mr McDonald pointed to the spot to jubilation amongst the home support It was the third home game in a row where Lovell's spot kick technique would be tested and as on the previous occasions he strode up to side foot the ball into the net and Dundee back into the match.

Dundee got an immediate lift and came close to going ahead as Anderson fired in a thunderbolt from 25 yards. It was a little to close to Bullock though and the keeper reacted well to block the effort.

United boss Gordon Chisholm had hinted during the week at a starting spot for Jason Scotland but it was the 67th minute before the Trinidad hitman joined the action, he replaced Crawford who had looked less than sharp here, and it didn't take him long to make an impact.

Three minutes after his arrival Robson cut in from the left and fired a low shot which Soutar did well to palm away, Scotland was first to react and cut the ball back from the byeline for Mcintyre to net from inches out.

With time running out Dundee piled forward in numbers but couldn't breach the United defence. Two minutes from the end of normal time Tam McManus raced back to try to prevent Robson running down time in the corner, what followed wasn't expected as the striker scythed down the United winger to eam a straight red card. McManus had been one of the most hard working players a field, but his action here was sheer folly, not only in that Dundee were disadvantaged in the search for an equaliser but he'd also miss what now looked a vital match at Dunfermline.

The game finished with a flurry of corners and Derek Soutar up trying to help the attack but United hung on and Mr McDonald's final whistle brought wild scenes of joy from the away support, as the Dundee support trudged away fearful of what might lie ahead in the following weeks.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme