A huge refereeing decision that went against Dundee dominated this 1-1 draw between the Dark Blues and St Johnstone at Dens Park.
With just six minutes on the clock, Saints’ Gary McDonald was short with a headed backpass.
Home striker David Clarkson raced on to the loose ball and chipped it up and over advancing goalkeeper Alan Mannus before trying to go around him.
Mannus appeared to bring Clarkson down and, as referee Bobby Madden put his hand in his pocket, the expectation was that it would be a red card for the big Northern Ireland international.
However, out came a yellow to book Clarkson for diving and it was then that everyone realised that what seemed to be a stonewall spotkick wasn’t going to be awarded.
The Dundee fans, players and officials were stunned.
Clarkson, to his credit, stayed calm and carried on, grabbing the opening goal four minutes before the break.
He tapped home from four yards after Greg Stewart’s shot had been saved by Mannus to make it his sixth goal in as many games–a fantastic record.
It is an old cliche, and one to avoid usually, but this really was a game of two halves.
After Dundee had dominated the opening 45 minutes it was Saints’ turn to control the second period.
The introduction of David Wotherspoon and, in particular, Simon Lappin from the bench made all the difference for the visitors, who levelled on 53 minutes.
This time a penalty was awarded for what was a clear foul by Dundee defender James McPake, who pulled the jersey of St Johnstone striker Brian Graham.
Up stepped the Dundee United loan man to slot the ball past keeper Scott Bain to make it 1-1.
That was how it finished but controversial decisions peppered this game, with Dundee sure they were denied yet another penalty when Stewart was felled inside the box.
While most of the post-match talk was about the Clarkson-Mannus incident, both teams can take positives out of the game.
Dundee played some fine stuff and will feel hard done by regarding Madden’s refereeing, while Saints seem to be slowly but surely getting back on track having drawn two and won one of their last three Premiership matches.