Match Report
For the eagerly anticipated fixture with Dundee Thistle made just one change to the side that started against Inverness seven days ago. Stephen McKeown, a second half sub against Inverness, came in for Bryan Hodge who dropped to the bench. Thistle otherwise were unchanged.
Thistle were close to an opening goal in the 9th minute. Steve Lovell forced Douglas into a hurried clearance which was collected by Mark Corcoran. Corcoran's pass gave Steve Lovell an excellent chance but he curled his shot wide of Douglas' left hand post.
Thistle were again close in the 18th minute. Paul Cairney won the ball some 30 yards from the Dyundee goal and burst into the box. His cross was a good one but Douglas was able to push the ball away with no Thistle player able to get the loose ball.
Dundee threatened the Thistle goal for the first time in the 20th minute when Tuffey was forced to make a save from a low McMenamin shot. There was further anxiety a few minutes later when Tuffey was unable to claim a corner but John Robertson was well placed to clear.
The clearer chances were coming Thistle's way and Stephen McKeown was presented with an excellent opportunity in the 27th minute. Steve Lovell's lovely through ball gave him the chance but from 12 yards out his shot was too high and Douglas was forced into a save.
In the 33rd minute it was Mark Corcoran's turn to come close and on this occasion the Dundee keeper was called upon to make a save. Corcoran's shot looked destined to find the top corner only for Douglas to claw the ball wide for an unproductive Thistle corner.
While Thistle had been the better team and created the better chances they were close to falling behind in the 43rd minute. Thistle were caught out by a swift Dundee counter attack as Darren Young broke clear. He was, however, thwarted by a excellent timed David Riowson tackle.
It proved though to be only a temporary reprieve for Thistle. Play restarted with a Dundee corner and although the corner was initially cleared the ball was returned deep into the Thistle box. Colin McMenamin was first to react and he hooked the ball goal wards. A magnificent clearance from Jamie Adams for a split second looked to have saved Thistle's bacon but McMenamin was first to the loose ball and he tucked the ball home from about a yard out.
The prospect of a Dundee comeback were dealt what looked like a killer blow just three minutes after half time. Gary Harkins had cut a fairly anonymous figure in the first half but two minutes after the break he was denied by an excellent Jonny Tuffey save after he turned sharply at the edge of the box.
Harkins though had to wait less than a minute though to find the net. When the ball fell invitingly to him 8 yards out he made no mistake with a low drive.
Almost immediately Ian McCall brought on two subs with Kris Doolan and Martyn Corrigan coming on in place of Simon Donnelly and Stephen McKeown.
A quick Thistle response was essential and Mark Corcoran came close to providing that in the 55th minute but after benefiting from the break of the ball inside the box he rather wasted the opportunity by lashing a shot over the ball when an effort across the face of goal may have been the better option.
Corcoran continued to be a threat to Dundee and on the hour mark his cross into the box was met by Jamie Adams who flung himself at the ball but his header flew straight at Douglas.
Twice in the space of a minute with the game in the last quarter Dundee passed up excellent opportunities to make the points absolutely safe. In the 73rd minute they caught Thistle on the counter attack and with two against one Gary Harkins ignore McMenamin to his right and thumped a shot against Tuffey's body. Less than a minute later McMenamin missed a great chance shooting wide when he had just Tuffey to beat.
Thistle tried to the finish to find the goal that could spark a comeback but a well organised Dundee defence was in no mood to give Thistle even a toe hold in the game.
