Dundee’s winless run at Cappielow continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Dougie Imrie’s Greenock Morton.
The Dark Blues haven’t won on the road at Morton since 2013, a streak that now stretches to five matches.
Both sides hit the woodwork but it was the hosts who edged matters in a hard-fought contest in the west coast sunshine.
The match was a battle, first and foremost. Classic Championship fare but an engaging watch nonetheless, for the opening half anyway.
Early on Dundee had to ride out a storm of home pressure but came out with the best effort of the first half, Paul McMullan rattling the crossbar inside 10 minutes.
Harry Sharp was the busier keeper but Jaze Kabia fluffed the chance to open the scoring on half-time, lifting his lob over the goalie but wide of the post.
The second period was more of the same but less quality. Chances were few and far between, Sharp was well-placed to save a close-range Alexander King effort while Luke McCowan skewed a decent chance wide at the other end.
Morton, though, were inches from taking all three points with a minute to go as Jack Baird headed onto the post.
Key moment
Just when both sets of fans had settled for a goal-less draw, the home side finally beat Harry Sharp.
The post, though, came to Dundee’s rescue as Baird got up highest from a Lewis Strapp long throw.
The flick-on header bounced off the foot of the post and out before the Dark Blues cleared.
Who knows how important this point may be come the end of the season and it very nearly was taken from Bowyer’s men.
Dundee’s star man: Tyler French
This was a defender’s day and it was between the two central defenders and goalkeeper Sharp for top marks.
Speedy French takes it with a strong performance against a tough opponent in Jai Quitongo.
Player ratings
Dundee: Sharp 7; Kerr 6, French 7, Sweeney 7, Marshall 6; Grayson 5 (Ashcroft 90), McGowan 6 (McGhee 78), Mulligan 6; McMullan 6 (Cameron 90), McCowan 6 (McGinn 70, 5), Rudden 6 (Robinson 70, 5).
Subs not used: Legzdins, Byrne, Williamson, Anderson.
Manager under the microscope
Gary Bowyer selected the same starting XI that saw off Arbroath 10 days ago.
This, though, was a different kind of contest against Dougie Imrie’s combative Morton side.
Resilience was needed, a wee bit of luck and some good defending.
He got that but more was needed up top as the match wore on.
Zach Robinson and Niall McGinn came on with 20 minutes to go, replacing like for like in Zak Rudden and Luke McCowan.
Jordan McGhee came on in central midfield for the final 12 minutes but there was to be no late winner.
Man in the middle
If Don Robertson was travelling to Cappielow aiming to make friends, he failed miserably.
The referee was a key figure in the opening half with both sides unhappy at some decisions.
Morton more so as Robertson denied a penalty for a challenge by Ryan Sweeney on Jai Quitongo.
He also elected for a yellow card for Dee goalie Harry Sharp after he came out to punch the ball but instead caught Jaze Kabia with his fist.
The whistle had already gone for offside but it could easily have been a red card for the young stopper.
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