Dundee 1
Airdrieonians (2002) 1 (3-2 on pens)
Challenge Cup (2nd Round)

Match Report

Rookie keeper Scott Murray was the hero as Dundee progressed to the quarter-finals of the Bell Cup. The seventeen-year-old turned in an superb display in the penalty shoot-out after the two sides had fought out a less than inspiring 1-1 draw after extra time, saving two of Airdrie's attempts from the spot. Murray on his debut was one of three youngsters who impressed, left back Paul Dixon won the man of the match award and Scott Robertson had his best moments in Dark Blue so far, the midfielder also scoring his first top team goal.

Youth team keeper Murray has a good record saving spot-kicks, and he relished his moment in the spotlight in front of the Bobby Cox Stand. As the South Enclosure chanted his name, he pulled off saves from Airdrie's first two attempts taken by Brian Prunty and Stephen McKenna. Bobby Mann, Simon Lynch and lain Anderson fired home from the spot to put Dundee 3-2 up, and with Airdrie's final kick being put wide by Willie McLaren the Dark Blues were through and the kid was the evening's hero.

Engulfed by his team-mates the moment, which appeared to give him most pleasure, was as he approached the tunnel. He heard the shouts of his youth team colleagues and headed across to take their congratulations. It was a special experience for the youngster who has kept clean sheets in the under 19's opening two matches of their campaign.

Joint caretaker manager Gerry Britton was impressed with young Murray's display.

"Scott was outstanding for us and I'm talking about his whole performance not just the penalty saves," said Gerry "He's actually not 100% fit at the moment, but he was confident, his handling was great and his kicking good. He was superb in everything he did. His parents come up from Kirkintilloch to watch all his games and he was bursting to get out of the dressing room and go and celebrate with them.

"The game was a bit of a struggle for us, but the boys showed good conviction to get the result."

Earlier the Dee defence had done a good job of protecting the youngster, but when called into action he looked the part, in 20 minutes he came a long way from his line to clutch a dangerous cross at full stretch.

Buoyed by their weekend win over St Johnstone, the Diamonds had worked hard to knock Dundee out of their stride, and largely succeeded. Brian McPhee's superbly placed looping header had restored parity in 52 minutes after Dundee had taken a 38th minute lead through Scott Robertson's deflected 25-yarder which looped over the visiting keeper. Minutes before McPhee's leveller Tam McManus had the ball in the net, following up to knock the ball home after Lee Hollis had tipped lain Anderson's overhead kick onto the crossbar, the standside assistant referee had his flag raised for offside though.

Extra time came and went with no further scoring, although a sparkling run from Jacinto almost brought a winner, the substitute had drifted in and out of the action but his effort which drifted narrowly too high would have been sensational had it gone in.

It was a rare moment of quality in a contest, which lacked much good football, though Airdrie's work ethic was admirable and Dixon and Robertson could largely be exempted from criticism. From Dundee's point of view it was a night on which although the performance wasn't great, they got through and most encouragingly the kids were more than just alright, especially the youngest - a night to remember for Scott Murray.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme