Match Report - By Steven Mew

Brechin travelled to Dens Park today still looking for that elusive first win and quite confident in getting that victory, after a couple of decent performances against St Mirren and Stranraer in the past couple of weeks. Dundee have struggled under the reign of Alan Kernaghan and desperately needed a win to get back on track after last weekend’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat against Ross County up in Dingwall.

Ian Campbell was once again cursing his luck as injury and suspension left him with only 14 fit players available for this match, so ‘Pinky’ had to bring in a couple of trialists, one being a goalkeeper, to complete the 16 man squad. Craig Nelson was suspended after his straight red down at Stranraer on Saturday, so John Hillcoat was given his first competitive start for City. Just as Gerry Britton was finding some form, suspension ruled the former Dundee assistant manager out of this clash. Kelvin Jack was back between the sticks for Dundee after helping his home country Trinidad and Tobago reach the World Cup in Germany after defeating Bahrain in the play-offs.

This was Brechin’s first visit to Dens Park in fourteen years. Back in 1991, City shocked Dundee with a 1-0 win thanks to a first half goal from Ian Pryde. This was Brechin’s second win at Dens Park that season, as they won 2-1 a few days before Christmas in the City of Discovery. Sadly, these wins were not enough to keep City up in the first division, and Dundee were made to regret these defeats, as they lost out on the title by one point to Airdrie.

Onto the game, City started brightly with Dundee wasteful in possession and lacking any creativity. It was Paul Ritchie who popped up with the first chance of the game in the fifth minute when he headed a cross narrowly over the bar.

John Hillcoat was brought into action ten minutes later however, when he got down well to save Tam McManus’s low drive from outside the area. Just a few minutes later, Hillcoat saved Iain Anderson’s header comfortably.

Dundee should have taken the lead ten minutes before the break when Simon Lynch controlled Steven Robb’s cross six yards from goal, but the deadly striker could only hit his effort well wide of the goal.

The home side came agonisingly close to the opener on the stroke of half time. The ball fell nicely outside the box for youngster Paul Dixon who struck a low drive at goal, but John Hillcoat let it slip from his grasp and thankfully the ball trickled just past the post and out for a corner kick.

Into the second half, there were no clear-cut chances until the hour mark when Kelvin Jack got down well to save Paul Ritchie’s low shot at goal.

With twenty minutes to go Brechin came extremely close to taking the lead. On-form midfielder Kevin Byers picked the ball up just outside the area with nothing else going for him so the little magician had a strike for goal, but Kelvin Jack made a fantastic save to tip the ball onto the crossbar. Just a minute later, Davie White headed narrowly over from Stuart Callaghan’s out swinging corner.

With sixteen minutes to go Dundee won a free kick out on the right. The ball was floated in and Gary Bollan headed the ball out to safety, but referee Crawford Allan pointed to the spot and awarded Dundee a penalty! Even the Dundee supporters and players were scratching their heads to why the penalty was given, while the Brechin players understandably protested to the referee. Simon Lynch stepped up to take the spot kick and confidently sent Hillcoat the wrong way for his 11th goal of the season.

Dundee should have wrapped up the points with ten minutes to go. Simon Lynch was sent through on goal but the striker pulled his shot wide of the post when he really should have scored.

After the game, angry City supporters stayed behind and booed the referee off the field while applauding the players’ efforts. Crawford Allan also booked Gary Bollan after the game for protesting about the dubious penalty decision.

Overall, a decent shift by a depleted City squad against their full time opposition. Brechin were unlucky not to have gone away with at least a share of the points but will go into next Saturday’s home match against St Johnstone in a positive mood.

Other Results - Bell's League Division 1

Clyde 1 Airdrie United 0

Clyde pick up a fortunate three points after Airdrie had struck the woodwork three times in the second half.

Queen of the South 2 Ross County 3

County come from behind to win at Palmerston thanks to John Rankin's late winner.

St Johnstone 1 Stranraer 1

A dissapointing draw for St Johnstone at home to Stranraer.

St Mirren 2 Hamilton Academical 1

A vital victory for the Buddies against their promotion rivals.