Dundee 0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
League (Premiership)

Match Report

Dundee's poor run since securing a top six spot continued with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. An early goal by Edward Ofere was enough to give the visitors the points as the Dark Blues passed up a succession of chances.

Dundee made three changes from last week's game against Celtic. Kyle Letheren played in goal, replacing the injured Scott Bain. Greg Stewart and Paul McGowan returned, taking the place of Alex Harris and Simon Ferry.

The Dark Blues started promisingly and quickly had Caley Thistle under pressure with good passing and movement. The visitors gave the ball away several times in a ragged opening as Dundee's pressing forced mistakes. Luka Tankulic had the first shot after two minutes, cracking a 22 yard shot wide following a good move

After the bright start it was disappointing to see the Dee concede a simple goal after eight minutes when Caley Thistle's first attack won a corner. It was taken short for Tansey to cross, and Edward OFERE guided his header into the bottom corner.

The goal settled Caley Thistle, who had their best spell of the half in the five minutes after the goal. For a briedf spell it looked like they might show their true form and take charge. However, Dundee kept passing and attacking patiently, dominating the rest of the half. They seemed to have got their reward when Greg Stewart's header beat Esson only for Devine to execute a spectacular overhead clearance on the goal line.

Dundee kept pressing and attacking imaginatively. Caley Thistle were defending very well and had to keep their wits about them to maintain their lead. A Dyer cross found McAlister whose header was blocked. Dundee took the corner short and Stewart's fierce angled shot was turned round the post by Esson.

Dundee might have been doing more of the attacking but Caley Thistle always looked dangerous on the break. A fast break down the right ended with Ofere whipping over a low cross that was just out of Watkins' reach.

The Dark Blues should have equalised when they had three attackers advancing against two defenders. Tankulic should have done better, allowing Meekings to block the final pass aimed for McAlister.

Five minutes before the break some frantic pressure ended with McPake being fouled just outside the penalty area. Esson pulled off a great save from Stewart's free kick and McPake headed the resulting corner over the bar.

Caley Thistle had the last attempt of the half when Ryan Christie sent a header from wide of the far post straight at Letheren.

Dundee passed up another great opportunity at the start of the second half. The visitors' defence misjudged a long clearance from Letheren. Again Dundee had three against two. Tankulic sent McAlister clear into the penalty area, only for the midfielder to get the ball caught up in his feet and hit a weak shot straight to Esson.

Caley Thistle started to sit deeper, but continued to threaten with fast breaks. A good run down the left by Williams ended with Konrad having to clear over his own crossbar. However, the real story of the second half was Inverness's defensive discipline, which gradually wore down the Dark Blues' attacking. This was a day when Caley Thistle couldn't get their fast running and passing game going, but they more than compensated with dogged determination.

Paul McGowan was a dynamo in the midfield, winning the ball and building attacks. But sadly the Dark Blues couldn't sustain the intensity of their first half attacks. The passing that had been confident and assured at times started to look rushed and hopeful.

Ten minutes from time Caley Thistle again had to call on Ryan Esson to preserve their lead. Following a corner Dundee had a prolonged spell of pressure. Kevin Thomson crossed to the far post and James McPake's header seemed sure to find the net only for Esson to make a fantastic low save.

Dundee threw on Craig Wighton and Gary Harkins for closing stages, and did manage to put Caley Thistle under pressure. However, the home side couldn't fashion any more chances. The visitors defended soundly right to the final whistle to confirm their qualification for European competition.

The Dark Blues had enough good chances to win today, but carelessness at both ends of the park cost them even a single point. A feature of the match was some remarkably tolerant refereeing. Mr Robertson preferred to lecture offenders rather than flashing his cards. Perhaps as a result the game was badly disrupted by endless fouling by both sides and Dundee's midfield and forwards struggled to handle some robust treatment by the visitors. Although Dundee defended well for the most part that counted for little when momentary slackness proved decisive. The Dark Blues offered plenty of promise, in the first hour at least, but this was a day when the Dark Blues yet again failed to find the vital spark they needed to end their poor run.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website