St Johnstone 1
Dundee 1
League (First Division)

Match Report

Dundee were held by St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, despite taking the lead through another fine goal from teen star Kevin McDonald. Kevin put the Dark Blues ahead three minutes after the interval with a fine curling shot but the home side hit back to level with a close range effort from former Dee Steven Milne in 66 minutes.

Alex Rae restored Derek Lyle to the starting eleven and that was the only change from the side who had begun the weekend win over Partick. St Johnstone had Milne starting against Dundee for the first time this season and had new signings Stuart McCaffrey and Daniel McBreen on the bench.

The 6072 crowd and both teams saluted Motherwell star Phil O'Donnell with a rousing minute's applause pre-match and when the action got under way it was the home side who tried their luck at goal first, Gary Irvine firing in a shot which was straight at Craig Samson.

Dundee hit back and just a minute later Gary MacKenzie came close, he fired in a shot following a Paul McHale corner from the left but his effort was blocked.

The Dark Blues had a penalty claim in 12 minutes as Robertson and McDonald combined on the right, the latter putting in a low cross which saw Derek Lyle apparently impeded as he tried to get onto the end of the pass.

Dundee were having the better of the opening stages but gradually Saints began to press forward, in 28 minutes Peter McDonald's 22 yard free kick was parried by Samson with Liam Craig firing the loose ball into the side netting.

Eight minutes later Goran Stanic surged down the left, but his cross was headed straight at Samson by Andy Jackson.

Kevin McDonald picked up a yellow card with five minutes to half time and right on half time the home side had a claim for a spot kick, Jackson tumbling under Milan Panelik's challenge, but referee Chris Boyle waved their protests away.

Alex Rae's men came out on the offensive after the interval and just three minutes in they got reward, Paul McHale curled in a free kick from the right and Gavin Swankie had a shot blocked, the ball broke to McDonald and he made space for himself on the left of the penalty area before curling home a delicious shot past Alan Main and setting off to celebrate in front of the large travelling support.

Ten minutes later Gary Mackenzie had to be replaced after picking up a knock, Eddie Malone moving to centre back and Paul Dixon slotting in at left back, and seven minutes later Bob Davidson was introduced to replace Jani Sturm.

Gavin Swankie had a half chance to put Dundee ahead within a minute of that change, Scott Robertson hitting the bye-line and lofting a cross in, Swankie rose above Anderson but his header went narrowly wide.

Dundee could have done with that effort going in to provide a two goal cushion, for the home side went straight up the park to equalise. A high ball into Dundee's penalty area fell to sub' McBreen and though his shot was blocked it deflected into the path of Milne who slotted the ball home for the leveler.

Paul McHale was the second Dark Blue to pick up a booking with ten minutes remaining and a minute later it took a fine save from Main to keep the scores level. McDonald found Scott Robertson with a fine pass and the midfielder curled a low shot towards the keeper's bottom left hand corner only for Main to snake out a hand and claw the effort behind for a corner.

Saints weren't content just to hang on though and Jackson fired over from 12 yards after being set up by MacDonald.

Jan Zemlik was thrown on in place of Lyle for the last few minutes and he was involved in the final effort of the match, Bob Davidson rushed to take a quick corner on the right and his set-piece found Zemlik, the big Czech nodded down to countryman Milan Panelik and his overhead kick was net-bound until Main stretched to tip it over.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme