Dundee 1
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
League (Premier League)

Match Report

Dundee's improved form continued with an entertaining 1-1 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle at Dens Park this afternoon. Disappointingly the Dee couldn't hold on after John Baird's early goal and Billy McKay equalised with a late header.

Caley Thistle spent the first 10 minutes largely in the Dundee half without creating any real danger. It was Dundee who took the lead after 13 minutes with a well worked move. Harkins and Conroy combined cleverly on the left to create space for John BAIRD to run on and score with a sweetly struck low shot from 18 yards that flew inside Esson's right hand post.

Two minutes later Nicky Riley crashed a 20 yard shot just too high when the ball broke to him after a corner. Any thoughts that Caley Thistle might allow Dundee an easy ride were swiftly dispelled as the visitors came agonisingly close to equalising.

First, Douglas failed to reach a corner and Warren's header was kept out by Irvine, who managed to turn the ball onto the crossbar. Lewis Toshney scrambled the ball away when it dropped onto the goal-line.

Next Andrew Shinnie turned neatly and smashed a 20 yard shot over Douglas and off the crossbar.

Caley Thistle might have been menacing in attack, but their defence continually lost shape and concentration when they were coming forward. Dundee always looked capable of opening them up on the counter attack. However, it was a spell of patient passing around the visitors' penalty area that nearly brought a second goal. Riley swung a dangerous cross into the goalmouth, Baird lunged at it and Esson pulled off a remarkable reflex save at point blank range. The ball broke to Harkins, but the defence managed to crowd him out.

Caley Thistle had the better of the later stages in the first half. Billy McKay managed to burrow his way into the penalty area, but the Dark Blues managed to get bodies in the way to block his first shot and follow up. A dangerous cross from Doran on the right was then turned away by Iain Davidson's fine defensive header.

Another good header by Davidson nearly gave Dundee the perfect start to the second half, but Esson managed to tip his glancing effort from a corner over the bar.

Dundee had their best spell of the match after half time. A series of neat moves, mostly involving Riley on the right, posed problems for the Caley Thistle defence that they struggled to deal with.

The visitors were still very much in the game and looked dangerous whenever they came forward. Doran's wicked cross into the goalmouth caused near panic before the Dee defence managed to clear.

That was a rare moment of consternation in the home defence in the second half. For the most part they handled the Caley Thistle attacks better than in the first half, and it was the visitors' defence who looked utterly unconvincing. They were wide open when Dundee broke out from defence, and the Dark Blues should really have punished them.

Two particularly promising breaks were wasted by the Dee. Riley led a fast counter attack, but Gary Irvine's poor cross ended the attack. Another swift breakaway was spoilt when Conroy couldn't control Riley's cross.

Caley Thistle came close when Douglas had to leap to his left to touch Tudor Jones accurate 20 yard shot round the post.

It seemed likely that the game would see at least one more goal. Terry Butcher threw on Richie Foran to play alongside Billy McKay, with Andrew Shinnie just behind them.

Caley Thistle managed to get the breakthrough before Dundee could take advantage of the visitors' undermanned midfield and unimpressive defence. They worked the ball patiently around the park in front of the Dundee defence till Graeme Shinnie found space to swing over a dangerous cross to the far post where Billy McKAY, under pressure, managed to force his header inside the post.

Both sides tried to win the game in the last few minutes, but the two defences managed to see the game out without too much concern. Carl Finnigan came off the bench, replacing Gary Harkins for the last few minutes, but there was to be no dream ending.

A point apiece was a very fair result over the 90 minutes. Caley Thistle could rightly point to some very good play and poor luck in the first half. However, any away team that allows the home side so much space to attack should be grateful to concede only one goal.

It was certainly disappointing that Dundee couldn't hold out for all three points, but they should have sewn the game up with their counter attacks in the second half long before Caley Thistle scored. The visitors carried constant threat when they attacked, and a single goal never looked likely to be enough for the Dee.

That's three league games undefeated, producing five points. John Baird has scored in each of them and is looking a far happier and more effective player with the increased confidence that the goals have brought. There was a good shape to the Dundee team today, and Caley Thistle were allowed no peace when they were in possession. When we had the ball there were plenty of pleasing moves, mainly involving Baird, Harkins, Riley and Conroy.

Caley Thistle won the previous two matches between the sides 4-1 on each occasion. This was a very even match and it never looked like being a repeat of those trouncings.

It might be too late to avoid relegation, but Dundee are now looking a good, competitive side, capable of playing some attractive football. That should give the Dark Blue faithful something to enjoy in last few weeks of the season. Today was no thriller, but it was a decent entertaining performance and match, which is a pleasant contrast to many of the games we've seen before this season.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website