Scottish Cup 4th round: Dundee 1-1 Kilmarnock
Dundee were made to rue a missed penalty in a cup cracker at Dens Park, writes Andrew Southwick.
Barry Smith's men had the better of a thrilling Scottish Cup tie, but Matthew Lockwood's tame penalty failed to put the first division side into the next round.
Kilmarnock had led through Manual Pascali's first half header, but Steve Milne's equaliser kept the game on a knife edge.
With both sides committed to passing football, the potential was always there for an entertaining cup tie, and we were not disappointed.
The action swung from end to end for the first quarter of an hour but it was Dundee who carved out the better openings; Gavin Rae twice stabbing half chances at Cammy Bell and Ross Chisholm threatening with a lob.
The chances continued to come and Dundee were celebrating taking the lead, only for the referee and his assistant to change their minds.
Steven Milne poked the ball past Cammy Bell with the Kilmarnock defence appealing for offside. The goal looked to have been given with the flag staying down, but after a lengthly chat it was ruled out, with Chis
holm's flick-on proving crucial.
holm's flick-on proving crucial.After that Dundee were spurred on and dominated but never looked dangerous, and they were made to pay when Kilmarnock nicked the lead from a corner. Dean Shiels curled it in with the sun shining in the Dundee's defenders eyes, allowing Italian captain Manuel Pascali to head home unchallenged.
In 35 minutes it could have been 2-0 with Shiels dragging his shot just inches wide of the far post.
Dundee's initial optimism began to drain, but Gavin Rae went close in 43 minutes, driving through the middle and firing over the bar. However again Dundee were fortunate to only be a goal down at the break when they were again cut open at the back but the low ball across goal couldn't be finished by any of the visitors.
If they had finished the first half on the ropes, they started the second half in bullish style; equalising after just 21 seconds. Rae was again at the heart of the move driving through the middle, passing to Ryan Conroy on the left and his low ball was steered into the far corner by Steven Milne.
That stung Kilmarnock and it could have been 2-1 three minutes later. James Fowler tried to usher the ball out for a corner kick under pressure, but he miskicked and had to clear unconvincinly. That gave Dundee the opportunity to drive forward again and Jamie McCluskey fired just over.
Kilmarnock got themselves together and Rab Douglas had to tip Gary Hay's goal-bound shot over the bar.
We had ourselves one hell of a cup tie, and just past the hour mark Dundee were given a golden chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty.
Mo Sissoko climbed all over McCluskey, earning himself a yellow card for his troubles. That gifted Matthew Lockwood the chance from twelve yards, but it was low and devoid of power, allowing Bell a comfortable save.
You wondered how Dundee would react, and it wasn't postive initially, with Kilmarnock trying to take advantage while their heads were down, and Pascali nearly added to his tally when he flashed a header wide of the post.
It was becoming obvious the home side were not comfortable with cross balls into the box, and another corner forced Douglas into the save on the goal-line. With 15 minutes to go Kilmarnock had found Dundee's achilles heel.
Two chances in a minute, at both ends of the park, summed up this cup tie. Good passing football opened up space in the box for Conroy, but Bell got down well to block, with Conroy unlucky his shot had hit the leg of the goalkeeper. The corner kick was headed goalwards by Milne but again Bell was equal to it. Killie then went straight up the park and Craig McKeown's last gasp block denied Paul Hefferman.
The sides will have to do it again at Rugby Park, but if it's as good as this one then no-one will be complaining.
Man of the match: Gary Irvine (Dundee)
Att: 3,346
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