By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002

SAT 22ND APRIL

DUNDEE 1 (Luna 75)
Kilmarnock 2 (Wright 35, 75pen)

Attendance 6,208

Douglas Smith, Maddison, Wilkie, Tweed, Rae, Robertson, Billio, Artero Falconer, Annand

Subs: Luna (for Falconer), Bayne (for Annand), Boyack (for Robertson), Langfield, Ireland

Dundee's fine run came to an end in front of a healthy crowd at Dens. The killer moment arriving when Pat Billio tugged the jersey of Killie substitute Jamie Fowler to conceded a penalty fifteen minutes from time.

Paul Wright stuck away the penalty to add to his first half header and although Dundee struck back straight away through sub Luna the damage had been done.

Jocky Scott made changes again with midweek hero Artero restored to the starting eleven along with Eddie Annand, Steven Boyack and fans favourite Luna dropping to the bench.

Dundee started brightly and had the first chance of the game after ten minutes when Falconer released Annand on the left but as the striker charged in on goal visiting defender Hessey got across to make a block.

Rab' Douglas had to look lively in 23 minutes when a ball over the top saw Dundee's defence freeze in anticipation of the offside trap and the keeper only just got to the ball before the onrushing Durrant.

Lee Maddison had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in thirty three minutes when he met Billio's free kick at the back post but the defender's header slipped inches wide.

Two minutes later Dundee were regretting that miss when after a spell of neat passing from Killie which looked like it was going nowhere former Dee McKinlay curled in an excellent cross which found Wright who had made a marvellous run, but not been picked up by the defence. His header lacked power but was perfectly placed to give the Ayrshire team the lead.

The second half saw Luna and Bayne on for Falconer and Annand and the Spanish hero made an instant impression as he teased and tormented the Killie defence. Unfortunately he teased referee Dallas as well and a late tackle on Durrant saw him go into the book for the third match in a row.

Seconds later the home fans were incensed when Luna was tackled late and sent sprawling only for Dallas to wave play on and then tell Luna to get up - indicating that he had dived.

There was no doubt however that he had added a new dimension to Dundee's play as the Dark Blues piled forward in the early moments of the half. Several time the ball bounced around the Killie box and Marshall was fortunate that Billio's edge of the box piledriver was hit straight at him.

For all their pressure however Dundee were still failing to make enough clear cut chances, with a couple of shots into the side net from acute angles and a Gavin Rae shot cleared off the line the nearest to a score. While the football was exciting it was also a bit too frantic. Dundee were pushing bodies forward and this gave Killie room to play on the break with sub Fowler showing a keen turn of pace as he raced down the visitors left flank on several occasions.

With quarter of an hour to go it was the young winger who raced into the box and although cleanly tackled by Barry Smith the referee pointed to the spot and indicated to Billio that he had been tugging the players shirt. At the time it looked a soft award, but TV proved that the Italian had impeded the youngster. Although Douglas guessed the right way Wright struck his penalty into the bottom corner with some expertise.

Eight and a half seconds after the kick off Dundee were back in it with Luna racing onto a long punt forward from Smith, to sneak between Holt and Hessey and poke the ball past Marshall.

Dundee pressed forward but the visitors haven't had many defensive problems in recent seasons and they held firm, although stretched at times. In fact it was they who came closest to adding to the score when Durrant's dipping shot clipped the top of the bar.

Killie boss Bobby Williamson was obviously delighted with the points, although admitting that Dundee had deserved a draw and he added that he had thought this had been a good match, with both sides trying to play football, particularly exciting in the second half.

Jocky Scott meanwhile was less than happy with the performance saying that Dundee hadn't played particularly well and had gone back to the old failing of conceding soft goals. Although Dundee had plenty possession in and around Killie's box when chasing the game they hadn't created enough goal scoring chances.