The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lichties hit back to
Arbroath Dundee
D undee missed the chance to grab second spot as they were pegged back to draw 1-1 at bottom side Arbroath.
The Dark Blues went level with Dunfermline in the Championship with the point after Charlie Adam’s early penalty was cancelled out by a second half Ricky Little header.
It wasn’t just in points dropped the match proved costly for the Dark Blues as Jordan Mcghee, Danny
Mullen and Liam Fontaine all went off injured.
Dundee boss James Mcpake reverted to the starting XI that beat Hearts on January 2 as Mcghee and Christie Elliott returned. Minor injuries had kept them out of the Scottish Cup clash with Bonnyrigg Rose.
The Lichties, meanwhile, made three changes from the team that drew at Queen of the South with Little, Michael Ruth and Scott Stewart coming in.
That saw Mark Whatley and Jake Davidson drop to the bench while there was no Kris Doolan.
Former Dees Bobby Linn and Gavin Swankie were also substitutes.
The temperature may have been dropping but conditions were perfect for a January night in Arbroath.
And the visitors wasted no time in making themselves at home as they took the lead within seven minutes.
A Jordan Marshall cross into striker Osman Sow bounced up off Lichties skipper Tam O’brien’s arm and referee Greg Aitken pointed to the spot.
Charlie Adam stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards, firing into the top corner.
The night was over early for the returning Mcghee as he went off with a shoulder injury after just 15 minutes, Cammy Kerr replacing him in central midfield.
On 24 minutes, the home side threatened but Scott Stewart couldn’t get a toe on a loose ball in the area to beat Jack Hamilton in the Dundee goal.
Five minutes later and it should have been 2-0 as the Dark Blues broke at pace. Adam played Danny Mullen in behind but he saw his finish crash off the crossbar and over.
Arbroath were having plenty of the ball but the visitors were creating the better opportunities.
The Lichties did go close with a Ben Williamson free-kick from 25 yards that whistled just over the bar.
Employed in an unusual midfield role, Kerr almost got himself on the scoresheet as he rose highest in area in the 33rd minute but saw his headed effort drift wide.
Five minutes before the break, Dundee suffered another injury as Mullen limped off to be replaced by Jonathan Afolabi.
Into first-half stoppage time and this time the Dark Blues were denied by home goalie Derek Gaston as Sow’s low effort came back out off the keeper’s feet.
Neither side took control of the game at the start of the second half with the ball in the air often and battles aplenty.
Nine minutes after the break Dundee had a third
enforced substitution as central defender Liam Fontaine limped off with Jordon Forster on in his place.
As the match headed for the hour mark, Stewart went for goal once more, this time from 20 yards, but saw his effort fly well over.
Dick Campbell then threw on Linn as the home side went in search of an equaliser and it was his corner that earned it as Little rose highest to head beyond Hamilton on 65 minutes.
With 18 minutes to go, Adam stung the fingertips of Gaston with a fierce effort from an ambitious angle as Dundee looked to go back in front.
The points were there for the taking for either team and next it was Arbroath’s turn to go for the lead as Dale Hilson broke in behind the Dundee defence but saw Hamilton beat out his effort from wide.
And it was the home side looking more likely to grab the all-important third goal with Linn missing a decent opportunity as time ticked away.
Heading into the final five minutes, both dugouts were urging their sides on to grab what would be a vital three points for either – Dundee to keep any hopes of catching leaders Hearts alive and Arbroath in their fight for survival at the foot of the table.
The Dark Blues tested the home defence with a succession of free-kicks in the closing stages but the Red Lichties held firm with
O’brien on hand to knock an Adam corner off the line in stoppage time.
It was to be a point apiece as the referee brought an end to a hardfought Friday night contest.
That single points leaves James Mcpake’s side trailing Hearts by seven points having played a game more and puts them level with second-placed Dunfermline, though with a poorer goal difference.
Next up is a rescheduled home clash with Ayr United on Tuesday night and all eyes will be on whether the trio of injuries in Mcghee, Mullen or Fontaine are fit for that one.
Dick Campbell’s side, meanwhile, move onto seven points but remain bottom of the Championship table, a point behind Alloa Athletic.