A last-minute goal from Josh Fowler earned Saints a point against Dundee at Dens Park this evening.
Saints dominated possession for large spells of the match however, they lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Dundee thought they had got a late winner on 87 minutes as they took the lead when Charlie Reilly headed home on the rebound after Joe Westley’s looping header came back off the crossbar.
However, Saints showed great character to bounce back and in the final minute Josh Fowler smashed home an equaliser on the turn following a poor clearance from Dundee keeper Owen Goodman.
Saints are back in action on Sunday as they welcome Hibs to McDiarmid Park, kick off 3pm.
MATCH REPORT
It was a quick return to action for Saints this evening as they made the short trip along the A90 for a midweek William Hill Premiership match against Dundee at Dens Park. There were two changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Hearts on Saturday as Simo Valakari brought in Matty Todd and Taylor Steven to replace Liam Smith and Josh Fowler who both dropped to the bench. Dundee lost 2-1 at home to Hibs on Sunday and manager Steven Pressley made three changes to his starting eleven for this evening’s match. Drey Wright, Bradley Fink and Charlie Reilly all dropped to the bench, and they were replaced by Brad Halliday, Alan Forrest and Bobby Wales.
It was a drizzly evening in the City of Discovery as Joe Westley got the match underway for the hosts.
The first chance of the match came on 6 minutes as a cut back from Enes Alić picked out Taylor Steven in the box and his first time effort was saved by Owen Goodman in the Dee goal as Idris Odutayo knocked the loose ball behind for a corner.
Saints made a good start to the match however, the hosts soon showed their own intent. On 19 minutes a cross from the right by Brad Halliday was met by Westley in the centre of the box however, Toby Steward did enough to put off the forward as Saints cleared their lines. Then shortly after Dundee created another opportunity however, Zach Mitchell produced a brilliant sliding block to turn the ball behind for a corner.
PHOTO: Matty Todd holds off Alan Forrest
Saints had the ball in the net on 27 minutes as Taylor Steven slotted home after Mitchell had headed Jamie Gullan’s corner from the left back across the box however, the goal was ruled out by referee Ross Hardie for a foul by Mitchell in the build-up.
It was a good first half from Saints as they had Dundee pinned in their half for large spells which was frustrating the home supporters. With 11 minutes of the first half remaining a good move by Saints saw the ball worked to Sam Stanton on the edge of the box however, Owen Bevan got in the way of the midfielders shot to deflect the ball behind for a corner.
The pressure on the Dundee goal continued as on 41 minutes Stanton got another sight of goal as he was played in by Gullan however, he couldn’t direct his effort on target. Then a minute later Alić’s shot from outside the box was saved by Goodman and from the follow-up Ruari Paton put his header over the bar.
PHOTO: Jamie Gullan and Idris Odutayo
Saints good play continued into the second half as they started it passing the ball around well however, they couldn’t create anything of significance to trouble Goodman.
Then on the hour mark Dundee got a glorious chance to take the lead as Alan Forrest chipped the ball over the Saints defence to play in Westley who was one-on-one with Steward however, he dragged his effort wide.
PHOTO: Enes Alić battles with Ryan Astley
On 72 minutes Gullan was fouled by Halliday as Saints were awarded a free kick out wide on the left. Gullan dusted himself down to take the free kick and his delivery into the box was met by Cheick Diabate, but his header didn’t trouble Goodwin.
Saints then made a double change as Taylor Steven and Ruari Paton made way for Kai Fotheringham and Josh Fowler.
Fotheringham almost made an instant impact as within a minute of coming on the winger went close as his curling effort from the left went wide of the far post.
With 14 minutes remaining Saints were awarded a free kick in a promising position after Stanton drew a foul from Ryan Finnigan. Gullan took the free kick however, his effort from distance sailed into the Saints fans in The Bob Shankly Stand behind the goal.
PHOTO: Kai Fotheringham goes past Ryan Finningan
Dundee though started to come back into the game and on 77 minutes Steward turned a Westley effort behind for a corner. Then with 10 minutes remaining substitute Charlie Reilly blasted an effort over the bar.
Simo Valakari made then made another change as Macauly Tait replaced Jamie Gullan.
The closing stages opened up as both sides pressed for the breakthrough and on 87 minutes Dundee took the lead. Fin Robertson cut a long ball back to Finnigan and who crossed the ball into the box. The delivery was met by Westly whose header hit the crossbar and Reilly was on hand to head home the rebound.
Before play could resume Saints made another switch as Jason Holt may way for Logan Chalmers.
Despite conceding a late goal Saints heads didn’t go down as 3 minutes later they were level. Good pressing by Saints saw Owen Bevan play the ball to Goodman however the Dark Blues keeper was slack with his clearance. Tait put the ball back into the box which Fowler connected with and his first-time shot on the turn went high into the net to ensure a share of the spoils.
PHOTO: Josh Fowler scores for Saints
Dundee: Goodman, Halliday (D. Wright 73’), Odutayo, Astley, O. Bevan, Finnigan, Wales (Fink 64’), Forrest (Robertson 64’), Westley, J. Bevan (Reilly 77’), Hamilton
Unused Substitutes: O’Hara (GK), Samuels, Bešir, J. Wright, Jones
Booked: None
Scorer: Reilly (87’)
Saints: Steward, Alić, Diabate, Mitchell, Steven (Fotheringham 73’), Holt (Chalmers 88’), Gullan (Tait 85’), Stanton, Todd, McAlear, Paton (Fowler 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Sinclair (GK), Boyes, Mikulić, Foulds, Smith
Booked: Mitchell, Stanton
Scorer: Fowler (90’)
Referee: Ross Hardie
VAR: Kevin Clancy
Attendance: 6,104
Match Report by Daryl Scott
Picture: Josh Fowler celebrates his goal
