Dundee 1 Aberdeen 1
S McGinn 69; Rooney 36
THAT great philosopher on life, Larry David, is credited with the observation that a good compromise is one that leaves both parties feeling dissatisfied. So it was at Dens Park as Dundee and Aberdeen shared a draw that did little to enhance either side's prospects of attaining their goals this season.
Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, had said in the build-up that it had reached a stage where results were now more important than performances. In the end he got neither. His team would have moved level on points with Celtic, albeit temporarily, had they managed to eke out a win but, despite moving in front via the prolific Adam Rooney, they found themselves pegged back by a resolute Dundee and rarely looked like finding a winning goal thereafter. Aberdeen were already outsiders in the title race and this draw makes their chances of winning a first league championship for 30 years even slimmer.
They were correct, however, to feel aggrieved about the penalty they weren't given in the first half. Ryan Jack danced across the box before feeding the ball to Niall McGinn who flicked the ball up before volleying it goalwards. Willie Dyer thrust up an arm to keep it out - it was almost like a goalkeeper's save - and yet referee Craig Thomson felt it did not merit a penalty. It would prove a costly decision.
"The penalty, it's such a pivotal moment, and it's such a blatant penalty," said McInnes. "The decision has cost us dearly today because they've managed to get an equaliser. But it's not all down to the ref that we've not won the game."
The manner in which the equaliser was conceded was also a sore one for Aberdeen to take. Trying desperately to prevent the ball going out for a Dundee throw-in near the touchline, Ryan Jack's back heel fell only to Alex Harris who drilled a ball low across the penalty box. First to meet it was Stephen McGinn who found a way past Jamie Langfield with a near-post shot to net his first Dundee goal.
"There's no hiding from it and [Ryan] knows it," added McInnes. "But we were guilty of a few mistakes. That one we were punished for."
Dundee were ultimately worth the draw but it did not hugely improve their chances of making the top six. They had Scott Bain to thank for earning the point, the goalkeeper making a number of important saves and also providing a commanding presence in the box.
There was a place in the Dundee starting line-up for Paul McGowan just days after the player pled guilty to assaulting a police officer, his third conviction of that nature. The forward will return to court next month for sentencing, with a spell in prison looking increasingly likely. That prospect didn't seem to trouble McGowan who bustled around the field in typical fashion, taking a thud from Langfield at one point in the first half as the pair contested a high ball. Hartley revealed he had no qualms about selecting McGowan and that the club would stand by the player even if the worst should come to pass.
"Paul is one of my best players so I was always going to pick him," he added. "Sometimes you can't control what happens off the field. He's great to work with and people don't know his true character, he's not a bad lad. I sense regret from Paul that he's had a fright. He's an age where he needs to grow up and he knows that. But we will stand by him 100 percent."
Aberdeen had their own miscreant in the form of David Goodwillie who, according to one morning report, had been involved in a recent nightclub fracas that saw him dropped to the bench. "I think he's made a bad decision," added McInnes. "He has to be more aware of being more professional at this stage of the season and we've spoken about that this week. It also needs to be said he was on a day off next day so there's no breach of club rules. I'll speak to him and deal with him without making it public."
The first real cohesive move of the game after 36 minutes brought the opening goal and it fell to Aberdeen. Andrew Driver, making his debut, jinked past a couple of defenders before playing in Rooney who lifted a shot past Bain for his 25th goal of the season. One goal, though, wouldn't be enough.
DUNDEE (4-2-3-1) Bain; P McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Dyer; Thomson, Ferry (Stewart 65); McGowan, S McGinn, Harris (Wighton 82); Clarkson (Heffernan 74)
Subs not used: Letheren, Davidson, Gadzhalov, Black
Booked: Dyer 58, Stewart 82
ABERDEEN (4-2-3-1): Langfield; Logan, Taylor, Reynolds, Considine; Flood, Jack; N McGinn (Shankland 86), McLean, Driver (Pawlett 66); Rooney
Subs not used: Brown, Smith, Robson, Goodwillie, Daniels
Booked: Rooney 88
Att: 7014
Ref: Craig Thomson
Man of the match: Scott Bain
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