Team wise Gary Harkins was back in the side for Carl Finnigan, with Gary Irvine coming in to replace the suspended Kyle Bendictus in the middle of the defence. In a slow start to the game it exploded on 20 minutes when good play from Harkins who found Jim McAlister who cleverly flicked the ball up and turned to volley a great high shot to give Dundee the lead, it might have been slightly deflected but who cared as Dens went mad. Soon after a mistake let in John Baird and his pass found Harkins with just Langfield to beat from 6 yards or so but he somehow hit the keepers legs and the chance was saved and gone.
At the other end Steve Simonsen made a double save to deny Jack and Pawlett. Dundee had a couple of chances before half time but the shots were just wide of the target. They might have had a penalty when McAlister was fouled but the Ref waved away appeals from the Dundee players.
Second half and Aberdeen started brightly and forced Dundee back a bit with the introduction of Nicky Low making a difference to the Dons side. Then Gallagher went down off the ball with Fallon the Aberdeen striker was given a straight Red card after help from the linesman. Dundee pushed forward and Gallagher had a header saved by Langfield.
Then with 20 minutes to go Aberdeen were awarded a very dubious looking Penalty when Pawlett looked to taken a dive and to the horror of the Dundee players and fans referee Muir pointed to the spot. Niall McGinn scored with a perfect penalty kick high to give Simonsen no chance.
Dundee kept coming forward and McAlister's looping header was superbly tipped over the bar by Jamie Langfield who made a few good saves during the 90 minutes.
Four minutes of injury time was added but sadly Dundee could not find the vital winner, and will now play in the First Division next season.
Dundee: Simonsen, Irvine (Kerr (82), Easton, Lockwood (Conroy (74), Toshney, Gallagher, McBride, Davidson, McAlister, Harkins, J Baird (Finnigan(74), Subs Not Used: A Baird, Nish, Barrowman, Thomson.
Att:6,441
Ref: Alan Muir
