Dundee picked up a hard fought point from a 2-2 draw away to Livingston this afternoon. The Dark Blues raced into a two goal lead with goals from Yan Dhanda and Cameron Congreve in the first 20 minutes. Livingston fought back strongly and, with the wind at their backs, dominated the second half. Jeremy Bokila pulled a goal back midway through the second half and Tete Yengi scored a deserved late equaliser.
The only change to the Dee starting eleven from the game against Aberdeen was Paul Digby replacing the injured Joe Westley in midfield.
Dundee made a promising start, playing with the wind, moving the ball well into attack and bringing the wide players into the game.
In the 13th minute the Dark Blues went ahead. Ethan Hamilton cut across the face of the Livingston penalty before unleashing a fierce rising shot. Keeper Jerome Prior managed to parry but only as far as Yan DHANDA, who reacted quickly to cushion the ball into the back of the net from an awkward angle.
Five minutes later it was 2-0 for the Dee with a goal that showed Tony Yogane at his best. He took the ball on the left wing, raced past full back Joshua Brenet and sent a deep cross over Prior for Cameron CONGREVE to score with a volley at the back post.
The home fans were not impressed but the Livingston players ignored the boos and responded well to the double setback. Dundee had to defend for almost all the remainder of the match. The game was not even a quarter over but the Dee were never again as dangerous as they were in that exciting opening.
The Dark Blues also had to cope with a setback when Ryan Astley limped out of the game midway through the half. Imari Samuels came on to play at left back with Drey Wright moving to right back.
Livingston should have pulled a goal back when a neat build-up gave Scott Pittman space to shoot from 12 yards. It was as good as a penalty but Jon McCracken saved superbly.
The game was flowing mainly one way and the Dundee defenders were having to work far harder than the home defence. The Dark Blues had to defend desperately in their own penalty area and were happy to reach half time with their two goal lead intact.
Livingston made a change at half time, withdrawing right back Joshuan Brenet and sending on Connor McLennan to play wide left with Cristian Montano moving back to left back and Daniel Finlayson switching to the right.
The reshuffle had a dramatic impact but Livingston had a scare right at the start of the half. The Dee kicked off and Yogane raced clear down the left. His cross swirled over the keeper in the wind and came back off the crossbar, evading Simon Murray.
Livingston soon settled back into an attacking groove and controlled the rest of the game. The home side were helped by playing with the wind, but Dundee made it easier for them. The Dee lacked the composure to make accurate, well timed passes. Every potential attack broke down. Time and again clearances went straight to Livingston players.
In the 64th minute Livingston finally scored the goal that had been on the cards since half time. Dundee lost the ball in attack and Livingston punished them on the turnover. Montanoā€™s pass through the middle sent Jeremy BOKILA away and the big striker won his battle with Billy Koumetio before shooting high past McCracken from 15 yards.
Dundee sent on Ethan Ingram and Callum Jones to replace Cam Congreve and Yan Dhanda in an attempt to stiffen the midfield and right flank. Drey Wright moved forward into right midfield with Ingram behind him.
McCracken had been completely reliable, coping with a succession of high crosses, and dealing well with all Livingstonā€™s shots, which were mostly from distance despite their constant penetration into the penalty area. However, the Dee keeper was at fault with the equaliser in the 85th minute.
A Livingston corner was cleared and Macauley Tait swung a high ball back into the penalty area from midfield dropping towards the far post. Substitute Tete YENGI stretched to get a touch and the ball somehow squirmed through the keeperā€™s legs.
The remaining 12 minutes of play were frantic with Livingston hunting for a winner but the Dark Blues managed to hang on. The most noteworthy incident came in the last minute of added time when Livingston centre back Ryan McGowan was given a red card for fouling Ash Hay and denying a goalscoring opportunity as the Dee substitute was about to race clear 30 yards from goal.
At no stage of the second half were Dundee able to manage the game. Everything was nervous and frantic. There was no composure on the ball. The Dark Bluesā€™ defending in the penalty area was generally good, but Livingston were able to get the ball in there too often and too easily.
The two Livingston goals were poor from Dundeeā€™s point of view. The Dark Blues were opened up far too easily for the first goal following the turnover of possession. The second was a simple mistake from a player who has been in fine form.
The Dark Blues contributed little in attack after the second goal, and were second best for the whole of the second half. Coming away from a game with only a point after being two goals ahead is always very disappointing, but Dundee did not do enough to deserve the win today.
Livingston 4-2-3-1
Prior
Brenet (McLennan at half time), Finlayson, McGowan, Wilson, Finlayson
Tait, Susoho (May 61)
Smith, Pittman (Yengi 82), Montano
Bokila (Muirhead 87)
Unused subs: Hamilton (gk), Carey, Shinnie, Sylla, Lawai.
Goals: Bokila (64), Yengi (85).
Booked: McLennan (foul on Jones), Muirhead (foul on Hamilton).
Sent off: McGowan (denying Hay a goalscoring opportunity).
Dundee 4-2-3-1
Jon McCracken
Ryan Astley (Imari Samuels 28), Billy Koumetio, Luke Graham, Drey Wright
Ethan Hamilton, Paul Digby
Cameron Congreve (Ethan Ingram 76), Yan Dhanda (Callum Jones 76), Tony Yogane (Emile Acquah 89)
Simon Murray (c) (Ash Hay 62)
Unused substitutes: Kieran Oā€™Hara (gk), Aaron Donnelly, Fin Robertson, Charlie Reilly.
Goals: Dhanda (18), Congreve (18).
Booked: Jones (foul on McLenan), Hamilton (foul on Yengi).
Attendance: 3,095.
Referee: Dan McFarlane. Assistants: Daniel McFarlane, Chris Gentles. VAR: Nick Walsh. Assistant VAR: Peter Stuart.
Report: James Christie.
