Dundee kept their campaign to regain credibility in KO competition alive with a gritty victory over first division strugglers Livingston. The Dark Blue went into this CIS second round tie with just one cup victory under their belts from five attempts under boss Alex Rae. And twice they had to come from behind against a Livi side they’d defeated on the opening day of the SFL season just to force extra-time. But they edged the penalty shoot-out to secure a place in next Monday’s draw for the last 16. Dundee first found themselves in arrears after only eight minutes, despite the best efforts of Craig Samson.The home keeper had pulled off a brilliant one-handed save from Jason Kennedy after he had worked a 1-2 with Tomas Pesir and unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the area. However, the resulting corner wasn’t cleared and Scott Mitchell dispatched an unstoppable shot past Samson from 20 yards. The most likely source of an equaliser looked to be livewire Bob Davidson who brought a decent stop out of Marius Liberda and twice fired over. Freddie Daquin also found himself with an opportunity to level things but shot straight at the keeper. Parity was restored, seven minutes from the break, courtesy of Scott Robertson who, in the course of a smashing run, left four players trailing in his wake before squeezing the ball high past Liberda for a goal of real quality. Four minutes into the second period the Dark Blues found themselves chasing an equaliser once again as Livi grabbed a sensational goal in bizarre circumstances. With the visitng bench preparing to replace the limping Steven Craig, Kevin McDonald was dispossessed near the half-way line, Liam Fox whipped in a pinpoint cross and Craig rifled the ball past Samson. Dundee threw on Jani Sturm, Derek Lyle and David O’Brien as they sought a way back and on 85 minutes Fox was harshly adjudged to have handled a bouncing ball inside the area and Lyle levelled from the spot. With only a minute left and Samson rooted to the spot, Kennedy saw a header strike the bar and bounce down onto the line from where David Worrell cleared. What little goalmouth action the additional 30 minutes threw up, involved Gary McKenzie. First, McKenzie was woefully short with a headed passback and Samson had to spare his blushes with a fine one-handed save from Leigh Griffiths, then at the other end he headed over with the goal at his mercy.
During the initial round of spot-kicks, Kevin McDonald’s effort was saved by Liberda while Samson turned Griffith’s pen onto a post. Des McCaffrey and O’Brien then slotted away their kicks before Samson saved from Kennedy. Confusion reigned as jubilant Dundee players, led by Lyle, charged towards their goalie, believing they were through, and the Dens Park PA system blasted out celebratory music. Red faces all round, temporarily at least, until Sturm netted to settle the issue. I don't mind how we beat Livingston.
Late News:
Dens Park pair Kevin McDonald and Paul Dixon have been omitted from the Scotland Under 21 squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Finland and Denmark despite both figuring in the win over the Czech Republic
