Airdrieonians (2002) 0
Dundee 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

Dundee's 100% league record this season came to an end as they were held to a goal less draw at New Broomfield and Alex Rae wasn't happy at having to settle for a point

"We were looking to take three points and we made enough chances, their keeper got man of the match which tells you something" said the Dens boss

"Defensively we were quite sound again, I can't really remember them having too many clear cut chances. I thought we had a twenty minute period when we had them penned in and if we'd have got the goal then I think we'd have gone on to win quite comfortably."

Colin McMenamin and Mickael Antoine-Curier were both denied on more than one occasion by on form Airdrie keeper Stephen Robertson.

Only one change was made from last weeks starting line up. The match came slightly too early for David Cowan who picked up a slight concussion last week at home to Clyde. It was the man who replaced him during that match that replaced him in the starting line up Gary Mackenzie making his first start since returning from injury himself.

Rab Douglas continued in the goal after a superb start to his 2nd spell at Dundee up at Ross County and home to Clyde last week.. Darren Williams joined Mackenzie in central defence with Eddie Malone and Eric Paton completing the back four. Freddie Daquin, Paul McHale, Chris Pozniak and Mark Gilhaney made up the midfield for the third league game in a row and up front Colin McMenamin and Mickael Antoine-Curier continued up front as ever presents.

There was a fresh face on the bench, after coming through a midweek game against junior side Forfar Albion summer signing Craig McKeown was involved in the first team squad for the first time.

As for the game game it's sell although both sides had a spell on top it was the defences who would finish the happier at the end of the ninety minutes.

Dundee started the game with the large travelling support cheering them on but it was Airdrie who got the first shot in but Paul Di Giacomo's effort never troubled Douglas. Curier had Dundee's first effort but while he brought the ball down in a similar fashion to the build up of his great goal last week his shot this time was well wide.

Colin McMenamin was the first to test either keeper and he could well of given Dundee the lead. He received the ball just out side the box and after a smart turn hit a low shot that Robertson had to get down well to hold with Gilhaney arriving at the back post.

The Dark Blues were right on top at this stage. Curier tested Robertson again two minutes after that McMenamin chance. After a poor corner was cleared Paul McHale found the Frenchman in the box who controlled the ball and forced a save out of the Airdrie man from a wide angle.

Robertson completed a trio of saves in quick succession when Daquin cut in from the right and smartly picked out McMenamin who was again denied by the diving keeper. Curier picked up a booking for descent before Airdrie finished the half as the better of the sides.

Joseph Cardle got in behind wide left but his cross was well taken by Douglas. Then a Cardle shot was deflected just wide of the goal off Eddie Malone with Douglas looking beaten. Former Dee Simon Lynch headed over from a corner then had a great chance to give the home side the lead at the death of the first

half

Cardle crossed from the left but Lynch just couldn't turn it goal bound before the ball came back into the box but Lynch could again only get a touch on the ball when proper contact could well of brought the first goal.

Dundee started the second half with the pace up. McHale slipped in Curier but Robertson was again equal to his effort and again holding leaving the incoming McMenamin with nothing to work with. Up the other end Di Giacomo got away for Mackenzie but the big defender timed his challenge perfectly to deny to former Kilmarnock man

Chris Pozniak combined well with Gilhaney on the left and when the Canadian midfielder cut it back to the unmarked

McMenamin at the edge of the box Robertson was again called into action. Getting down well and tipping round the post, it as beginning to look like it wasn't going to be Dundee's day.

Gilhaney was replaced by David O'Brien as Alex Rae desperately looked for something creative from midfield. McHale found Curier with a free kick but the headed over from a free header. Dundee continued with the pressure, when substitute O'Brien crossed to the back post Daquin headed back across goal to find McMenamin who really should of scored but his volley was straight into the hands of Robertson.

Douglas was booked for dissent before saving a shot from distance from Airdrie sub Scott McLaughlin, Bob Davidson replaced Daquin as Dundee continued the hunt for a winner. Eddie Malone picked up a booking for a tackle before Airdrie almost snatched it with only four minutes remaining.

A free kick from the right was flicked on by the head of Di Giacomo and when Douglas' save went up and over the top of himself he was more than happy when team mate Gary Mackenzie was first on the scene to clear from two yards out with Airdrie men waiting.

The amount of chances created throughout the game meant that this wasn't a totally dull 0-0 draw but even though no one as underestimating Airdrie this will be viewed as two points dropped for The Dees.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme