The young Dark Blues travelled to the St Mirren Training Ground on Tuesday to take on The Buddies in the SPFL Development League.
The youngsters were bolstered by the inclusion of experienced defenders Iain Davidson and Kyle Benedictus and these two were mainly responsible for keeping the home side’s attack under wraps for most of the game.
Dundee created the first chance of the match after nine minutes when Lee Cameron was played through down the left and ran in on goal, but home keeper Mark Ridgers was equal to his near post shot.
Five minutes later, Martin Boyle was sent down the right and had Cameron and Josh Skelly in the middle but his cross-cum-shot went straight into the arms of the St Mirren number one.
Boyle was involved again in the next attack. A long switch by Cammy Kerr found the right winger and his cross picked out Thomas Carberry, but an acrobatic effort from the Dundee striker was over the top.
The home side were being limited in their chances, but almost took the lead with their only shot of the half when Thomas Reilly’s effort from distance had to be tipped over the bar by Scott Bain.
HT: St Mirren 0 Dundee 0
The Paisley men should have been ahead minutes into the second half when a slip by Kyle Benedictus allowed Lewis McLear to run in one on one, but he missed the target.
Dundee then had a big chance to take the lead as Cameron cut inside from the left and drilled in a shot, but he was once again denied by Ridgers.
Coach Eddie Johnston sent on Max Avolio for Cameron in the 66th minute.
On 72 minutes disaster struck for the Dark Blues. St Mirren won a free kick on the right and defender Jack Baird met it to give the Buddies the lead.
Dundee almost hit back straight away but Boyle’s header found the side netting.
Dundee’s second substitute of the night saw John Black replace Carberry.
With five minutes to go, St Mirren could have sealed the victory but Bain brought off a great save, tipping the shot from the edge of the box round the post.
In stoppage time, Dundee almost levelled when Josh Skelly played in Boyle, but his shot was saved.
FT: St Mirren 1 Dundee 0
Dundee: Bain, A Black, Kerr, I Davidson, Benedictus, Colquhoun, Gemmell, Carberry (J Black 75), Boyle, Cameron (Avolio 66), Skelly. Subs not used: C Black, D Davidson, McHardy.
Eddie Johnston commented, “It was disappointing to lose but there were plenty of positives to take from the game. I was pleased with the performance. We created chances and limited them.”
