Dundee and Greenock Morton played out a goalless draw at the Kilmac Stadium in a match that Dundee ended with ten men after the sending off of Josh Mulligan.
Dundee had the majority of the attacking play throughout the match but couldn’t find a way through and had to settle for a draw after the sending off of Mulligan with ten minutes remaining.
There was much change for Gary Bowyer’s side, the most notable change coming in the goalkeeping position as Adam Legzdins missed out through injury and Harry Sharp’s illness that kept him out of the squad for Ibrox midweek meant he also missed the match.
That meant a first start since April for Ian Lawlor and a first appearance in the matchday squad for 17 year old Ruaridh Lynch.
Dundee started with a 4-4-1-1 formation which saw Jordan Marshall left of midfield and Josh Mulligan playing just in behind Zach Robinson.
The Dee started on the front foot and Luke McCowan had the first effort of the match after 8 minutes. Jordan McGhee played him the ball and his shot was blocked behind.
Mulligan was next to test Brian Schwake in the Morton goal but his effort was an easy take before Ryan Sweeney forced the Morton number 1 into a low save at his post with a header from a McCowan free kick.
Morton worked their way into the match but they could’t put a finishing touch onto any attack.
Firstly Carlo Pignatiello flashed a ball right across the face of goal but no one could turn in then a real chance came as a ball over the top found Jai Quitongo.
Lawlor came running from his goal and despite the Morton attacker going past the Dundee keeper, he was pushed wide and when he tried to pick out a team mate Cammy Kerr was on hand to clean.
Dundee came flying out of the traps after the break and Marshall saw an effort tipped just over the bar, that resulted in three back to back corners but Morton stood strong and cleared each time.
Ben Williamson was next to try his luck but like Marshall’s effort, just over the top.
Gary Bowyer made a quadruple sub to ramp up the pressure in the last period of the match. It’s almost worked right away as two of those combined with Paul McMullan crossing for the back post. It came off Zak Rudden’s chest and hit the front post before Morton defenders cleared the danger.
Derick Osei then turned an effort past the post.
Just as Dundee were heading into the final ten minutes looking for a goal the match was the change on a very debatable refereeing decision. Josh Mulligan went to blocked a clearance and the referee deemed it to be worthy of a second yellow card much to the dismay of the Dundee players and fans.
Both sides would have a chance each in the closing stages. Firstly, Lewis Strapp drove a low shot inches wide of the post before Lee Ashcroft headed wide from a McMullan free kick.
Frustration would be the best way to sum of Dundee’s afternoon. Another clean sheet was welcome but failure to be clinical at the other end of the park was what saw Morton head south with a point.
