Dee’s Throw It Away Again

Dundee 2 Queen of the South 3

Lynch 37, 58 Andy Thomson 1

Mullen 67

Wood 80

Dundee lost their first game of 2006, after throwing away a 2-1 lead against second bottom Queen of the South.

Manager Alan Kernaghan made one change from last week’s cup side – recent signing Colin Marshall made his first start in place for the absent Steven Robb. Kelvin Jack returned to the squad but had to settle for a place on the bench.

It was a disastrous start for the Dees though, and they found themselves one down after only 30 seconds. Queen’s Paul Burns was allowed to cut inside into the box before firing low to Murray’s left. The young’ keeper got down to the shot but spilled it and veteran front man Andy Thomson was on hand to knock in the rebound from close range.

Despite the poor start, Dundee pushed forward and created some good chances as they tried to get back into the game. The best chance fell to Bobby Mann who poked the ball wide from six yards after latching onto a flick from Simon Lynch. Scott Robertson and Kevin McDonald also had efforts from long range, but neither really troubled Colin Scott in the Queens goal.

It did seem only a matter of time before the equaliser came though, and eventually it did on 37 minutes. Bobby Mann flicked on Paul Dixon’s long throw at the near post and Simon Lynch met it first time to poke the ball high into the net from 8 yards out.

Dundee started the second half as they finished the first, and deservedly took the lead on 57 minutes. Once again it was a Paul Dixon long throw that caused havoc in the Queens box. The ball broke to Bryan Deasley who’s blocked shot found it’s way to Lynch who side footed home from close range.

At this point there seemed to be only one winner, however, as has happened on many occasions this season, Dundee conspired to gift the points to Queens.

There seemed little danger as Michael Mullen ran at the Dundee defence, but somehow he managed to dribble past Callum MacDonald, Bobby Mann, and Barry Smith to fire a shot low into Murray’s left hand corner.

Craig O’Reilly replaced Colin Marshall as Dundee pushed three up front to go for the winner. However, it was at the other end that the winner came.

Gary Wood picked the ball up wide on the right, before firing an unstoppable right foot effort high past Murray from thirty yards out.

Dundee replaced Brady with McCluskey and pushed Bobby Mann forward in an attempt to get something from the game, but the closest they came was an eighteen yard effort from Lynch, which Colin Scott did well to hold.

Another three points dropped for Dundee, and the chance to close the gap on the teams above was lost.

Dundee’s next game is the Scottish Cup 4^th Round Replay versus Airdrie United. Game is at Dens Park on Tuesday 14^th February with a 7.45pm Kick-Off.

Man of the Match – Email Syd with your votes for Man of the Match sydeefc62@btinternet.com

Dundee: Murray, Robertson, Dixon, Mann, C. MacDonald, Smith, K. McDonald, Brady (McCluskey 80), Lynch, Deasley, Marshall (O’Reilly 81),

Subs not used: McManus, Ferguson, Jack (gk)

Queen of the South: Scott, Paton, McLaughlin (Mullen 60), Aitken, Jim Thomson, Lovell, Burns (Wood 76), McStay, Gibson, Weir (Lyle 46), Andy Thomson.

Subs not used: Robertson, Barnard (gk)

Referee: M. Ritchie

Attendance: 3365