Dundee fought out a dogged draw with Ross County at Dens, a result that suited neither side.
Both teams had chances to win the game but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing ensured the contest ended goalless.
Dundee boss Paul Hartley made two changes from the team that lined up at Kilmarnock last week with Kevin Gomis replacing Julen Etxabeguren and Jesse Curran coming in for James Vincent who dropped to the bench.
It was 20-year-old Australian midfielder Curran’s first competitive start for the Dark Blues.
The first chance of the game fell to the Staggies in the third minute. Chris Routis sent a corner in from the right with the ball falling perfectly for skipper Andrew Davies 12 yards out but his sharp shot flew straight into Dundee keeper’s Scott Bain’s arms.
The Dark Blues had a chance of their own shortly after but Craig Wighton’s low shot was easily saved by County keeper Scott Fox.
After that early flurry, the two sides struggled to fashion clear-cut opportunities with both goalies rarely called into action.
However, Dundee came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 41st minute when a Tom Hateley corner from the right was turned on by Darren O’Dea towards defensive partner Kosta Gadzhalov at the back post but the Bulgarian was just inches short of connecting for what would have been a tap-in.
Just two minutes after the restart, the Staggies did have the ball in the back of the Dundee net courtesy of a Liam Boyce header but it was chalked off for a push on Gadzhalov.
Wighton went close in the 55th minute when he sent a dipping shot just inches wide of Fox’s right-hand post from 18 yards.
After that there was little goalmouth action to excite the 4,742 spectators inside Dens as the half progressed.
County had a great chance to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute but Routis dragged his shot wide when he should have at least hit the target.
The Staggies then had an incredible let-off at the other end. Dundee’s Marcus Haber found himself with Fox’s goal at his mercy eight yards out and with the home fans ready to celebrate what they thought was a certain goal, the big striker lashed his shot wide.
Both sides were going for the jugular now and Bain had to produce an outstanding save to keep out an Alex Schalk bullet header.
However, neither side could find a way to goal with the game ending in stalemate.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
