Dundee 4
Dundee Utd 3
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

This was a Derby match in which the usual script went awry. Deservedly leading by two goals after less than twenty five minutes play, Dundee fought back to equalise before half-time and again came from behind after the interval to record their first home victory over us since 1985.

The day had all started so well - Maurice Malpas playing in a midfield role got our opening goal after 22 minutes play. Paul Hegarty's back header fell into the United skipper's path and he prodded the ball past Geddes. Two minutes later we went two up. Kevin Gallacher just failed to connect with a cross from Mixu Paatelainen but the ball dropped to Michael O'Neill, who steered the ball into the top corner. Keith Wright pulled one back on the half hour mark, and six minutes later Dundee were right back into contention with an equaliser from Keith Wright.

We regained the lead early in the second half when a header from Mixu Paatelainen was parried by Geddes, but Mixu rammed home the rebound. Our joy was short-lived, however, as Joe McBride worked his way clear on the left and his cross into the middle was swept home by Keith Wright. There were close things at both ends. Stuart Beedie was inches away from a Keith Wright cross and then Mixu Paatelainen broke clear but his parting shot was wide of the left hand post. With 15 minutes left Stuart Beedie was sent clear, but was fouled by Dave Narey on the edge of the box. From the resultant free-kick Joe McBride found the net via the far post. Before the end Geddes pulled off a fine save from a Dave Narey effort from the edge of the box and Arthur Albiston nodded a looping John Clark header off the line, but we failed to save a match which had looked to have been safely under our control.