CRAIG BRIOWN'S nerves surely can’t take much more than what this tie threw at him last night, writes Frank Gilfeather.
Darren Mackie’s first-half strike was enough to see his Aberdeen side through in a thrilling contest, but there was disquiet in the home dugout at how the visitors dominated much of a tie they felt they could have won.
Barry Smith, the Dundee manager, expressed pride in his busy, energetic side whose pummelling of the Aberdeen defence not only showed them as equals to their loftier opponents, but that Brown still has much to do to reform his outfit.
“We are disappointed we didn’t get a draw and push them to extra time, but I was happy with our performance,” said Smith.
“We controlled the second half and the longer the game went on, the better we got. With that kind of show we’re looking forward to a bright season ahead.”
Mackie’s 17th-minute goal completed a manoeuvre started by winger Peter Pawlett’s cross to the back post. Chris Clark headed back to the striker to finish with a ferocious close-range strike into the roof of the Dundee net. It was just reward for the tempo at which the hosts began.
Despite their early set-back there were no signs, however, that the first division side were remotely interested in throwing-in the towel and in Nicky Riley they had an inventive winger keen to put Aberdeen on to the back foot. Indeed, his shot across goal, no more than a foot off target, and Stephen O’Donnell’s attempt to stab home Ryan Conroy’s low ball across the area would have alarmed Brown greatly.
Dundee’s superior work-rate and passing were attractive ingredients and they pummelled their opponents for much of an absorbing second half.
Mohamed Chalali, the new signing from Panionios, was offered opportunities early in the second half to ease home jitters but twice he stumbled over the ball after being through on goal.
In the end, the solitary goal was enough for Brown and his players. However, with a trip to Ibrox on Clydesdale Bank Premier League business on Sunday, the manager will need to allow his nerves to calm first.
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