By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002

SUN 21ST MAY

DUNDEE 0 Aberdeen 2 (Stavrum 25, Jess 61)

Attendance: 6,449

Douglas Smith, Tweed,Wilkie, Maddison Robertson, Boyack, Billio,Rae Falconer , Grady

Subs: Luna (for Billio), Sharp (for Robertson), Bayne (for Falconer) Miller, Langfield

Dundee wasted the opportunity to finish fifth in the league when they turned in a 'looking forward to my holiday's' performance at Dens.

It wasn't the send off that Jocky Scott and Jimmy Bone would have hoped for in this their final game in charge of the Dark Blues.

It was the home side who had the first attempt on goal in the fourth minute when Hugh Robertson tried his luck from the edge of the box.

But the midfielder, just back in the side after an injury, pulled his shot and Aberdeen keeper Jim Leighton watched the ball trundle wide.

At the other end an Andy Dow effort from 30 yards was accurate but lacked the power to trouble Rab Douglas.

But in reality the opening period was low key and the game had a real end-of-season feel about it.

Most of the play was confined to the midfield area with neither keeper seeing much of the play.

In fact Leighton had to wait until the 20th minute before he was called into action again.

A Barry Smith cross from the right-hand side nearly went in under the bar but the veteran keeper reacted quickly to tip it over for a corner.

But in the 25th minute, against the run of play, the visitors took the lead.

When a Dow corner came over, Thomas Solberg flicked the ball on and it fell at the feet of Stavrum at the back post.

The big Norwegian was first to react and stabbed the ball home from two yards for his 12th goal of the season.

Dundee fought back but without any real creativity, although they had a strong claim for a penalty on the half hour when Solberg used his hand to stop a Boyack cross.

Despite the claims of the Dundee players and their fans the referee waved play on.

Fans favourite Luna was introduced for Pat Billio, who appeared to have picked up a knock, soon afterwards but the change to 4-3-3 had no noticeable effect as both teams showed a certain lethargy.

The second half started slowly with neither side showing any great enthusiasm for the task in hand.

The first attempt on goal in the second period came in 52 minutes but Jess' shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by Douglas.

Their was signs of improvement from Dundee but the cutting edge was still missing although when Leighton fumbled a cross ten minutes into the half he had to look sharp to deny Luna.

Moments later he made up for the mistake when he brilliantly tipped over to prevent a Solberg own goal after the defender had miscued his clearance from Smith's cross.

Just after the hour the Dons were on easy street as a punt up the park showed that route one works against the Dees - Eoin Jess was the man who benefitted and his finish from 22 yards was expertly executed. Although the Dundee defence parted a la the Red Sea to allow him a clear attempt.

Dundee continued to huff and puff with Jocky throwing on Lee Sharp and Graham Bayne and headers from Wilkie and Luna came close but as time ran out it was the visitors who came nearest to adding to the score, Douglas brilliantly tipping away Stavrum's piledriver.