Birkirkara 0, Dundee 0

DUNDEE COULD not break the deadlock at the Luxol Sports Club last night, playing out a goalless draw with Maltese Cup holders Birkirkara in the only match of their pre-season trip to the island.

Jim Lauchlan had the Dark Blues’ best chance of the opening period but his header was well saved by the home keeper.

Lauchlan was paired with fellow trialist Sean Webb in central defence and the pair went on to play almost the full game together.

David O’Brien was posing problems for the Maltese backline and consecutive crosses around the half-hour mark both deserved to be finished off.

Dundee goalie Ludovic Roy did well to save a shot hit from outside the box after a Birkirkara corner caused concern for the Dundee defence as the match headed towards the interval.

The Dens men made six changes at the break, including the introduction of Bryan Deasley and Mickael Antoine-Curier to the attack.

On 53 minutes, good inter-passing ended with Antoine-Curier mis-hitting his shot and the ball rolled harmlessly wide.

Dundee had a claim for a penalty turned down four minutes later when sub Mark Gilhaney went down in the box, with the local referee waving play on.

Summer signing Darren Young took the place of the trialist Czech midfielder on 73 minutes before Antoine-Curier had a decent strike well saved.

Lauchlan and Webb were replaced by Gary MacKenzie and Ross Grant then Roy had to dive full length as a Birkirkara shot went just wide in the closing stages.

Dundee—Roy, Cowan (Paton 46), Webb (Grant 81), Lauchlan (MacKenzie 81), Malone (Forsyth 46), Trialist (Young 73), McHale, Trialist (Dachin 46), O’Brien (Gilhaney 46), McMenamin (Antoine-Curier 46), Davidson (Deasley 46).