It was never going to be a classic.
Home side St Johnstone had lost 10 on the spin, scoring just three times in that run.
Dundee had been beaten in each of their last six league matches, scoring just three themselves.
Goals have been lacking for both sides so it didn’t take a clairvoyant to predict a goalless draw might be on the cards.
And so it proved, a share of the spoils not really helping either side, though they both made up a point on Ross County in 10th.
So what can Dundee take from the stalemate at McDiarmid Park?
Fight
Unsurprisingly both sides were playing with a lack of confidence and it showed with very little quality on display.
But there was no little spirit from the players and, after last week’s defeat to Livingston, there’s a step forward there for the Dark Blues.
Not least because they now haven’t conceded in 180 minutes of football after seeing off Dumbarton in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.
The back line rode its luck at times against Saints but they kept the ball out and, slowly but surely, a bit of confidence will be flowering once more in Dundee.
It is a small step but one in the right direction. The question is whether they can build on it and take a bigger stride over the next three massive home matches.
Leigh Griffiths
Losing Danny Mullen to illness before the game was a blow.
With Jason Cummings having departed, that left Leigh Griffiths as the only choice up top.
Time is running out for the former Scotland man and opportunities to show Dundee they should be keeping him around beyond January are disappearing fast.
Griffiths is a shadow of his former self these days and struggled to make an impact once more.
A snap shot that brought a good stop from Zander Clark aside, there wasn’t nearly enough threat from the Dark Blues’ frontman.
Whether Griffiths sticks around or not, another attacking option is a must before the transfer window shuts.
Subs
A real plus point for Dundee was the impact made by the double substitution shortly after half-time.
Niall McGinn made his debut and made an obvious difference on the left flank.
Some added craft and nous brought a new dimension to the Dark Blues. A finish at the end of it was missing, though.
Joining McGinn from the bench was skipper Charlie Adam and, after a couple of poor displays of late, looked much more like himself at McDiarmid Park.
The Dark Blues midfielder came closest to breaking the deadlock late on with a strong drive into the area that brought an excellent defensive clearance from Jamie McCart from under his own crossbar.
It may not seem obvious but there are some green shoots of recovery appearing for Dundee.
Much more is needed, however, if they are to overhaul the gap to the sides above.
