Dundee 1
Partick Thistle 1
League (Premiership)

Match Report

A 53rd minute goal by Craig Wighton gave Dundee a 1-1 draw against Partick Thistle at Dens this afternoon. The Jags had been the better side in the first half, and deservedly led through Gary Fraser's fine strike. The Dark Blues dominated after the break and should have killed off 10 man Thistle. Gary Harkins missed a penalty after Jags' keeper Scott Fox had been sent off for violent conduct in the rammy following the penalty award.

The Jags rocked the Dee with a ferocious start. Bannigan missed a sitter after two minutes, wastefully heading O'Donnell's cross wide with the away fans already starting to cheer. Dundee's escape was short lived; Thistle scored just over a minute later. The ball was laid back to Gary FRASER who struck a beautiful rising shot past Letheren from 22 yards.

Partick's energetic pressing in midfield unsettled Dundee, who struggled to build moves from the back. When Thistle did have the ball their brisk passing, movement and hard running posed real problems for the Dark Blue defence.

Another O'Donnell cross was turned on at the near post by Stevenson, but Letheren parried. Paul McGinn was caught out when the ball freakishly failed to bounce in the six yard box, and Letheren had to move smartly to block from Bannigan.

Although the Dark Blues were second best they were not out of contention. The Thistle defence was vulnerable to diagonal balls behind the full backs and Dundee looked capable of creating danger. Nevertheless, Scott Fox had an easy first half as Dundee failed to get a serious shot on target. A MacDonald 25 yard free kick that drifted wide, and a lovely turn and cross by McGowan, which flew across goal, were as good as it got for the Dee.

On the stroke of half time Willie Dyer took a knock and had to be replaced. Gary Irvine came on to play at right back, with McGinn switching to left back. Thistle meanwhile had already lost their left back, when McMillan limped off to be replaced by Keenan.

The Dundee strikers had not been linking well enough with each other or the midfield. It was no surprise when Paul Hartley reorganised at half time; young Craig Wighton replacing Luka Tankulic.

The improvement was immediate and Dundee went on to dominate the rest of the game. Gary Harkins nearly scored a cheeky equaliser when Dundee were awarded a free kick om the right touchline, 30 yards from the corner flag. With everyone expecting a conventional cross, Harkins went straight for goal, catching out Fox who was relieved to see the ball bounce off the bar and out of play.

Craig Wighton's touch and vision added hugely to the effectiveness of Dundee's attacks. When the Dark Blues went forward now the ball was under control and the away defence was forced onto the back foot.

The equaliser arrived after 53 minutes, at the end of a spell of intense pressure. Jim McAlister drove into the box and played the ball into space for WIGHTON to race in, take an immaculate touch and slip the ball under Fox. It was a goal that oozed class, and showed far greater maturity than anyone could expect from a 17 year old.

The match had turned on its head, and five minutes later we had a huge talking point. Harkins whipped a free kick into the penalty area where Seaborne pulled down James McPake. Mr Charleston pointed to the penalty spot and booked Seaborne. During the ensuing discussions Scott Fox pushed Paul McGowan in the face, right in front of the referee. Inevitably Mr Charleston pulled out his red card and the penalty kick was further delayed whilst Thistle sorted out the substitution.

Paul Gallacher came on for midfielder Lawless, and saved Harkins' weak penaly with his legs, a full four minutes after the spot kick had been awarded.

Dundee were able to dominate the midfield now. Thistle were pushed back and had to dig in for a point. Craig Wighton was outstanding as he glided around the pitch, taking the ball under fierce pressure and moving it on smoothly for his teammates.

In spite of some good play and sustained pressure Dundee found it hard to create clear chances against a defence whose backs were firmly against the wall.

Peter MacDonald came closest, but his far post header from Harkins' cross was well saved by Gallacher. Harkins was then replaced by Boyle, who added a new threat with some dangerous runs and crosses.

Wighton made space superbly on the right but his cross evaded everyone, and McGowan's 25 yard follow up fizzed over the bar.

It was no surprise when Wighton was named as man of the match, an accolade that was all the more impressive given the identity of the judges; none other than Jocky Scott and Craig Brown, a pair of wise old experts who know a fine player when they see one.

Surprisingly Mr Charleston played only four minutes of injury time. Thistle were able to hang on, by their fingertips at times. The Jags were sitting back so far that McPake was able to play as an extra striker in the dying stages.

Over the course of the whole game a draw wasn't unfair. When Thistle were the better side, which they were for most of the first half, they were much better. When Dundee took over they totally dominated, even before the sending off. However, the Dark Blues fans will certainly be the more frustrated after the Dee failed to ram home their advantage.

After three games Dundee are still undefeated, but they really need to get a win and they passed up a great opportunity today. The defence played well throughout, and certainly needed to keep their wits about them in a very tough opening 20 minutes. In midfield Dundee responded well to Thistle's pressing game. McAlister proved a very capable replacement for Kevin Thomson, especially when the Dee midfield took charge after the break. Both strikers played very well in the second half and it will be very interesting to see what changes Paul Hartley decides to make after this match.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website