DUNDEE now lie seven points behind leaders Hamilton after this stalemate as their title dreams continue to dim. For a team chasing a championship, the visitors were incredibly flat and can actually count themselves fortunate to have left West Lot
hian with a point they scarcely deserved.
The Dens Park men started purposefully enough, with Gary McKenzie seeing his well-won header strike the base of the post after seven minutes, only to lose their way before falling behind shortly prior to the half-hour mark as Livi punished some truly horrendous defending. There wasn't a visiting defender anywhere near Robert Snodgrass as the talented youngster buried Craig James' corner behind Ludovic Roy.
With a such a sluggish performance, and his side all but gifting the opening goal, Alex Rae would have been preparing to read the half-time riot act before his team were handed parity seconds before the interval. Referee Scott McDonald incredulously adjudged James McPake to have fouled Colin McMenamin, allowing Dundee debutant Mickael Antoine-Curier to coolly convert from twelve yards.
But even with such fortune on their sides Dundee couldn't muster a second half assault. Apart from an Antione-Curier header from close range which was correctly ruled out by the assistant referee's flag, they offered nothing, and their misery was compounded by the late dismissal of Milan Palenik.
The full article contains 239 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
