Dundee’s dismal run at Cappielow carries on as they grind out a draw with Morton

DUNDEE have not won at Cappielow since December 2013 and, in truth, they never looked like ending their winless run as they ground out a goalless draw with Morton.

Morton carried the greater threat throughout the game. They almost won it in the closing moments when Jack Baird’s header struck the post, but found a resolute Dundee defence and goalkeeper Harry Sharp blocking their path.

Dundee came closest to opening the scoring early in the first half when Paul McMullan rattled a shot against the crossbar but too often their final ball was lacking as they passed up the chance to climb back to the top of the Championship.

Gary Bowyer knows his team were not at their best, certainly a far cry from the free-flowing attacking football they played in their last outing against Arbroath, but the Dundee manager was pleased with the desire his side showed to keep a clean sheet and pick up a point on the road.

Bowyer (right) said: ‘A hard-fought clean sheet away from home, you’re always happy with that.

‘The pitch was very sticky which didn’t make for a passing game for both teams. We had one good bit of play in the first half when we hit the bar. We didn’t work their goalkeeper enough.’

Morton made the early running at Cappielow as new recruit Robbie Crawford drilled in a low shot that forced Sharp into a smart save and the Dundee goalkeeper had a bit of good fortune as the rebound was just out of reach of Jaze Kabia.

Sharp was called into action again moments later as the ball broke to Alex King on the edge of the area but his lofted effort was confidently claimed by the keeper.

Having been pressed back in the opening exchanges Dundee suddenly sprung into life as Josh Mulligan rolled possession into the path of McMullan and his crisp strike rattled the crossbar.

Morton’s Jai Quitongo appealed for a penalty after he led a counter-attack and tumbled inside the area under pressure from Dundee captain Ryan Sweeney but referee Don Robertson ignored the striker’s claim for a spot-kick.

Robertson then had a decision to make when Sharp clattered into Kabia as he came out to punch the ball just as an offside call had been given and then players from both sides were involved in a shoving match.

The official wisely took his time before making a decision and booked Sharp for the initial dangerous challenge and then showed yellow cards to Sweeney and Quitongo for the afters. Darragh O’Connor had Brian Schwake to thank for preventing an own-goal as he diverted Zak Rudden’s cut-back towards the goal but the Morton keeper pulled off a fine save.

Just after the interval Dundee once again had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping out Morton as King’s low shot inside a crowded penalty area was blocked by Sharp at the near post. When the ball eventually came back to King he lashed high over the crossbar.

Dundee then carved out a chance when McMullan set up Luke McCowan but he fired wide.

Morton almost claimed all three points in the closing stages when sub Lewis Strapp’s long throw into the penalty area was glanced goalwards by Baird but his header clipped the post and the ball was scrambled clear.

Morton manager Dougie Imrie said: ‘That’s our best 90 minutes of the season so far for me. The first half I felt we were by far the better team and we took the game to Dundee.

‘They had their first shot on target after 85 minutes, and then we could have nicked it at the end with the long throw and the ball coming off the post.’