Dundee 1
Airdrieonians (1878-2002) 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

Dundee stayed on course for promotion thanks to a hotly-disputed penalty.

Airdrie, reduced to 10 men in 62 minutes when Tony Smith was sent off. had looked like surviving reasonably comfortably.

But, with seven minutes left, James Grady tumbled in the box under a challenge by Jimmy Sandison.

Much to Airdrie's disgust, referee Alan Freeland pointed to the spot, and Dundee's Liverpudlian defender David Rogers stepped up to score confidently from the spot.

It was a hard way for Airdrie to go down, after a performance in which they proved they will be pushovers for no-one in this league.

In fact, Dundee looked as though they might well have lost their chance when they failed to take advantage of the strong wind at their backs in the first balt

Jim Mcinally should have put them in front in 15 minutes. Grady played through a short Iain Anderson corner but the former Dundee United star wars robbed by Sandy Stewart on the point of shooting

Rogers had a fine effort saved by Myles Hogarth a minute later and in 37 minutes. Grady sent a diving header just wide from Derek Fleming's free-kick.

Airdrie's on-loan goalkeeper redeemed his own mistake just before half-time. His clearance was blocked by the alert Grady, but Hogarth saved brilliantly when the little striker tried to take advantage

Airdrie began to show more of a threat when it was their turn to have advantage of the elements after the interval.

Six minutes into the second half. Stewart set up Kenny Black, whose fierce effort was brilliantly saved by Robert Douglas.

Billy Davies was the next Airdrie player to pose a threat to Dundee, with a shot which flew over.

But, a couple of minutes later, Alex McDonald's men were reduced to 10. Smith, who had been booked in the first half, was shown a second yellow card after a foul on Grady.

There was also bookings for Annand, Kelly and McInally for Dundee along with Airdrie's Sweeney.

Crowd – 3086.

Dundee - Douglas; Smith, Fleming, Adamczuk, Irvine, Rogers (Elliot 88), Anderson, Kelly (Magee 79), Annand (O'Driscoll 77), Grady, McInally.

Airdrie - Hogarth; Stewart, Johnston, Sandison, Sweeney, Black, Connelly (Lawrence 62), Wilson (Mackay 84), Cooper, Davies, Smith. Sub not used - McCann.

Referee - A. Freeland. Aberdeen.