Dundee's Simon Murray returned from injury and Yan Dhanda came in for his debut. They replaced Ash Hay, who was on the bench, and the injured Paul Digby. The formation looked 3-5-2 on paper, but in practice it was more like 3-4-2-1, with Callum Jones and Fin Robertson the central midfielders while Joe Westley and Yan Dhanda played in front of them, behind and either side of Simon Murray.
They started well and played some neat football, but Killie had the first real shot at goal which Jon McCracken saved well. Kilmarnock looked more dangerous on set pieces but the dundee defence done well to keep them out.
Ryan Astley had to go off for treament for a head knock, but he returned and at least the score was 0-0.
A rare Dee attack produced a lovely probing, passing move on the right which ended with Dhanda whipping over a cross to the near post that was flicked on by Murray. Westley forced the ball past the keeper from a tight angle and into the net off defender Ethan Brown. The goal was awarded at first but a VAR review ruled it out for offside against Murray.
It was offside but a bit tight it could had changed the game, but least Dundee kept at until half-time which ended 0-0.
Second half and Dundee were much the same keeping it tight and Killie were putting Dundee under more pressure and Jon McCracken puled off a few good saves to deny them.
After that tricky spell Dundee held strong and stopped Kilmarnock creating much in the last 20 minutes.
Yan Dhanda was replaced by Tony Yogane just after the hour, and then Cesar Garza, Billy Koumetio, Ash Hay and Cam Congreve came on for Fin Robertson, Luke Graham, Simon Murray and Joe Westley. The fresh legs allowed Dundee to get into the final third more in the closing stages. There were a few promising moments, but only in injury time did Dundee manage to get a serious shot on target, when Congreve’s 20 yarder was turned away for a corner by Stryjek.
Time ran out for both teams and the draw was a fine point for the dark blues. Another bonus was the clean sheet, which will boost confidence within the squad.
Dundee: McCracken, Astley, C Robertson (c), Graham ( Koumetio 72), Wright, Jones, Dhanda (Yogane 62), F Robertson (Garza 72), Samuels, Westley (Congreve 77), Murray (c) (Hay 77). Unused Subs: Carson (gk), Ingram, Donnelly, Acquah.
Referee: Ryan Lee
Att: 5,620
