Dundee 2
Aberdeen 1
Scottish Cup (4th Round)

Match Report

Dundee won their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup after an amazing climax to their 2-1 victory over Aberdeen at Dens. Thomas Konrad gave the Dark Blues an early lead, before he conceded an unfortunate own goal equaliser. The tie seemed sure to be heading for a replay, but goal hero David Clarkson grabbed the winner as the match ticked over into injury time. The Dee still needed Scott Bain to clinch the win. The former Dons' keeper turned Niall McGinn's blistering shot onto the underside of the bar; the ball bounced onto the line and the Dee were through.

The Dark Blues were a long way from their best, but reaped the reward from having a striker in red hot form. Aberdeen missed numerous chances, and David Clarkson punished them by converting the only chance to come his way.

Dundee's only change was Martin Boyle a straight replacement for Paul McGowan, who was injured in training on Thursday.

Aberdeen attacked the Dee straight from the kick off and should have taken the lead after only 13 seconds. Goodwillie found Rooney, who made space on the edge of the penalty area. He screwed his shot across goal and Niall McGinn was only inches away from turning it in at the far post.

The Dark Blues looked far from comfortable in defence, but were quickly building dangerous attacks for themselves with Greg Stewart prominent on the left.

An early goal looked likely and it was Dundee who delivered after four minutes following a smart free kick. Gary Harkins was holding the ball watching the Dons' defence organise itself. He threw the ball forward to Kevin Thomson, who placed it on the ground for Harkins to take it immediately. His beautifully flighted deliver found Thomas KONRAD unmarked six yards out. Goalkeeper Scott Brown managed to get a hand to the German defender's header but couldn't stop it crossing the line.

Neither defence looked comfortable as play raced from end to end in a remarkably open spell. Dundee nearly repeated their successful free kick, but Taylor managed to hack the ball clear from the Dons' goalmouth. Aberdeen built a slick move down the left, but Rooney miscued his shot from Goodwillie's backheel, allowing Bain to make an easy save.

The visitors equalised after 17 minutes. It was no surprise on the balance of play, but there was an element of luck to the goal. Clarkson was caught by a tackle from behind, which Mr McLean chose not to punish. Niall McGinn broke down the left into the penalty area, and his hard driven low cross flicked off KONRAD and inside the far post for an own goal.

The equaliser helped Aberdeen to settle and they had the better of the rest of the half. However, with neither defence looking happy on a greasy pitch the Dark Blues still looked very dangerous when they could attack. Martin Boyle was unfortunate not to win a penalty when he pounced onto a loose ball, only to be bowled over by the combined efforts of Brown and Reynolds.

In Dundee's next attack Logan slipped and missed Boyle's cross. Stewart had time to control the ball and pick his spot, but wastefully shot over from 16 yards.

Shortly before half time Adam Rooney had the Dons' best chance of the half. His header from Goodwillie's cross looked sure to find the corner, but Scott Bain sprang to his right to pull off a superb save.

There was still time for the Dark Blues to threaten the Dons' goal again when Taylor scrambled Boyle's cross shot out for a corner before Clarkson could turn the ball into the net.

The first half had been a thrilling and open affair, but the standard of play slipped badly after half time. The defences looked more composed and neither side was able to settle onto the ball. What good football we did see came mostly from Aberdeen, who must be kicking themselves that they failed to kill off a lacklustre Dundee side. When the Dee had the ball they consistently failed to make the right pass or right decision in the final third.

Niall McGinn wasted a great chance for Aberdeen, heading straight at Bain from 10 yards following a corner. In the best piece of football in a poor 45 minutes Hayes made a great run down the right. He reached the byline and cut the ball back for Rooney who scooped it into the side netting.

In the last 20 minutes Aberdeen created a series of promising attacks, but repeatedly failed to find the right finish. When they did get their shots away they either missed the target or hit tame efforts at Bain. The Dee keeper had to work harder with a 30 yard Hayes' free kick, which he turned wide for a corner. When it came over Goodwillie was unmarked but with his back to goal his improvised flick flew over the bar.

Paul Hartley tried to gain a grip of the midfield by sending on Simon Ferry to replace Gary Harkins. Paul McGinn then had to go off and was replaced by Willie Dyer. The last change was to push on Luka Tankulic in the place of Boyle to join Clarkson in a central striking role.

James McPake had an excellent second half, with a series of vital challenges. He had just been named man of the match when he chose to move upfield as the Dee chased a late winner. Clarkson won an aerial challenge and McPake glanced a header into space for CLARKSON to run in and shoot past Brown from 10 yards on the stroke of 90 minutes.

It was the striker's eighth goal in successive games since he joined the Dee, and sparked wild celebrations amongst the delighted home support.

When the game restarted there were still two frantic minutes for the Dark Blues' supporters to endure. The Dons threw everyone forward, and it seemed that Dundee might be able to catch them on the break. However, Hayes won the ball just inside the Dundee half and after waving everyone forward launched a high ball deep into the Dundee penalty area. Niall McGinn won the ball and hit a ferocious shot that Scott Bain tipped onto the bar. The ball crashed down onto the goalline, back up onto the bar again and was cleared. The Dee were in the fifth round!

Time and again over recent years Dundee have suffered heartbreak in the cups. Today's performance was poor in many respects, but the players dug out a win that seemed unlikely for much of the second half.

David Clarkson will rightly get the headlines for the fairy tale start to his career at Dens, but Scott Bain's contribution was every bit as important. There was little of the smooth, flowing football the Dark Blues have been serving up lately, but this win owed everything to determination and a belief that a win was still possible after a performance that fell short of Dundee's recent standards. This was definitely a day when the result was far more important than the performance, and the Dee will still be in the cup in January.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website