Dundee 2 - 2 Dunfermline Athletic

If the Pars are going to win this league they are going to have to do it the hard way. Practically every other week they play a side fired-up by the prospect of a local derby, or bonded through adversity. Despite a two-goal lead from two Gibson penalties, one a little soft, one less so, the Pars couldn’t close the game out, two bad mistakes letting Griffiths cause the damage.

It was a good day for football. “Sun for two weeks” promised a road-sign on the M90 - although on reflection that may been announcing the imminent commencement of road-works rather than an optimistic weather forecast - but conditions both underfoot and above ground seemed perfect. The Dundee announcer selects his music carefully – this week we had Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” (“Don’t worry...’bout a thing”) and Let’s stick together – but otherwise the normality of the occasion belied the trouble that Dundee FC are in off the park

To the teams, and for a change I’ll start with the opposition. The Administrator’s attempts to preserve a viable business meant Dundee had kept a strong starting line up, with the ever-doubtful starter Leigh Griffiths once again appearing fit to take his place alongside Sean Higgins in a two pronged attack. Harkins would start on the left of midfield but would play a free roll, alongside the impressive O’Donnell and loanee Adams. It was only on the bench that the Dees difficulties became apparent, with two youth players and a trialist keeper.

The Pars were also at full-strength, with Austin McCann regaining the captain’s armband and taking his place at left-back, with Chris Higgins moving in one alongside Dowie, with Woods both recovered from his knock and at right-back. Mason and Bell were in the middle as usual, with Gibson and Cardle on the wings and Clarke and Kirk up front. Chris Smith was between the sticks. No Phinn on the bench, but we did have the welcome sight of Neil McGregor, long time no see Neil, alongside Keddie, McDougall and Graham.

The Pars had the kick-off, and were shooting towards their own support for a change, but spent the early stages on the back foot. Griffiths looked lively as expected, but the first shooting opportunity didn’t present itself until the 7th minute when O’Donnell tried his luck from 25 yards, but his effort was always on the rise, and Smith was untroubled. Adams had a better chance a minute later as the Pars struggled to clear their lines, but drove straight at Smith.

Gibson’s neat trick on the right allowed him the space to send over a cross which was deflected on target, but Douglas plucked the ball out of the air without bother, although his backwards step did have Pat Clarke trying to claim the ball was over the line. The Pars then got their first corner after Woods’ attempted flick from Gibson’s free kick was deflected behind. Gibson drove his effort to the far side of the box where Cardle’s drive was neatly between post and Clarke’s head, but troubled neither.

The match was more open, but with neither side really threatening to score. Griffiths got to run at Dowie, but was blocked before Clarke had an effort charged down after Lockwood had failed to cut out a throw-in. Lockwood, one of the co-assistant player managers, was more effective in an attacking capacity in 20 minutes when he overlapped and crossed for Harkins to send a diving header well past.

The Pars put together their best spell of the game midway through the half. Another driven Gibson corner eventually found its way to Cardle but his low drive was well held by Douglas to his right. A minute later and Cardle had a better chance, latching onto Gibson’s diagonal ball to cut inside but two defenders dived into block, only for Clarke to steer the loose ball over the top. That looked like a bad miss, but the Pars got the breakthrough in fortunate circumstances in 29 minutes. Gibson had the ball at the corner of the box and appeared to drive the ball at Lockwood’s arm. Dougie McDonald gave the spot-kick and Gibson himself blasted the ball to Douglas’s right. 1-0 Pars.

Three minutes later and incredibly the Pars had a second spot-kick – with Clarke and Kirk both trying to get on the end of McCann’s cross, a hand was used to ease the ball away. Again Mr McDonald declined the invitation to change his mind and again Gibson had the chance from 12 yards. After some attempted mind games from Douglas Gibson decided to go high and right, and although the ball clattered off the underside of the bar, it bounced over the line and into the net. 2-0 Pars.

A slightly shell-shocked Dundee then had Higgins booked for a late challenge on Woods (the same player being fortunate that McDonald quickly turned his back on an obvious show of dissent when the player thought he should have had a corner. Griffiths continued to cause problems every time he got the ball, but he was well marshalled, and with no further incidents the Pars went in at the break with a healthy lead.

Half Time: Dees 0 Pars 2

Dundee were quickly out of the blocks at the start of the second period. An early Griffiths free kick caused some uncertainty in the Dunfermline rearguard, but there was no Dee there to take advantage of it. Not so 2 minutes later, when a simple-looking Harkins ball over the top saw Chris Higgins slip, leaving Griffiths one on one with Smith and he tucked the ball away no problem at all. Back to 2-1.