Kilmarnock's hopes of maintaining a Premier League title push were shoved
aside by a forceful Dundee team who survived Robbie Raeside's late ordering-off
to claim a goalless draw at Rugby Park today.
The midfielder was red-carded after 83 minutes for a second bookable offence,
but still Kilmarnock were left frustrated in their efforts to earn victory.
The winter break might be over. But Kilmarnock, beaten in the Scottish Cup by
Ayr last week, are giving every impression of still being in hibernation.
There were chances at both ends, but goalkeepers Gordon Marshall for the home
side and Dundee's Robert Douglas both impressed when called upon.
Kilmarnock, as their league position would suggest, were the superior outfit
but lacked sharpness in the final third and were unable to sustain their early
momentum.
By the finish, either side might have emerged winners, but 10-man Dundee were
understandably happier with a valuable point for drawing a blank.
Kilmarnock were without influential midfielder Ally Mitchell, Alan Mahood
stepping in, while youngster Gary McCutcheon was surprisingly chosen ahead of
Paul Wright.
Dundee, trounced 4-0 at home by leaders Rangers in midweek, opted to start
with on-loan Coventry midfielder Gavin Strachan, demoting Gavin Rae to the
bench.
Dariusz Adamczuk had an early chance for Dundee but overran the ball, allowing
Marshall to gather, while after six minutes Mahood failed to connect properly
with an 18-yard shot.
On 11 minutes, the home side came closer when Gary Holt turned well just
inside the area before firing an angled drive that goalkeeper Douglas.
After 18 minutes, Ally McCoist's low header forced Douglas into another smart
save after intelligent build-up play involving Gus MacPherson and the busy if
erratic McCutcheon.
Ian Durrant then sent a long-range effort narrowly over the bar as Kilmarnock
looked to take a grip on the contest even if a goal was beyond their grasp.
A stunning Durrant reverse pass released McCutcheon after 27 minutes. But the
youngster lacked composure, first slipping, then allowing Steven Tweed to clear
a weak effort off the line.
The home side were by now the dominant force, McCoist exchanging passes with
former Rangers colleague Durrant, but was off-balance by the time he tried to
manufacture a shot.
Scotland international McCoist then struck a low 25-yard drive just the wrong
side of the post for Kilmarnock's liking as the deadlock persisted.
Dundee were managing little in response but held firm until the break, McCoist
volleying into the side-netting from a tight angle moments before the interval
with Durrant again the provider.
Home goalkeeper Marshall made amends for a poor kick clear a minute after the
restart by producing a low save to ensure James Grady was unable to take
advantage.
After 50 minutes, Strachan's pass found Adamczuk who drove into the area
before unleashing a strike that saw Marshall again at his best to deny the
midfielder.
Kilmarnock's riposte was a powerful break forward by Holt, who fed McCoist for
a first-time effort that the alert Douglas proved equal to.
On the hour mark, McCoist created time and space for himself inside the area
with a clever turn, but his snap shot was clutched one-handed by Douglas.
Dundee spurned a real opening after 68 minutes when Willie Falconer and Grady,
both looking suspiciously offside, conspired to get in the way of each other
before the latter shot over.
Marshall then produced another fine stop to prevent an ambitious Strachan
strike reaching the top corner in what by now was an even tussle.
Hugh Robertson's fierce drive prompted Marshall to save again after 75
minutes, but Raeside's dismissal following a tug at substitute Alex Burke's
shirt altered the balance.
Kilmarnock pressed forward with a renewed urgency for the closing seven
minutes against 10 men but never had enough time to make their numbers advantage
count.
Teams:
Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Montgomerie, McGowne, Baker,
Reilly, Holt, Durrant, Mahood (Burke 76), McCoist, McCutcheon.
Subs Not Used: Henry, Wright, Roberts, Strain.
Booked: Baker.
Dundee: Douglas, Smith, Irvine, Raeside, Tweed, Adamczuk,
Maddison (Sharp 70), Strachan, Robertson, Grady (Rogers 85),
Falconer.
Subs Not Used: Coyne, Rae, Langfield.
Sent Off: Raeside (83).
Booked: Tweed, Raeside, Irvine.
Att: 7,677
Ref: E Martindale (Glasgow).
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