Aberdeen 2 - 0 Dundee

A young Gordon Strachan was prominent for Dundee while Jocky Scott (formerly Aberdeen's co-manager and now Dunfermline manager) scored against his old club. There was a poor attendance of 6,000 but it was a disappointing season for Aberdeen. The Dons were going to miss relegation only on goal difference!

The pattern of play in the first quarter of an hour indicated that Aberdeen were the better team but for all their pressure they failed to strike. The best move so far featured, inter-passing between Arthur Graham, Billy Pirie and Dave Robb but Allan distinguished himself by saving Graham's shot. He followed up by saving a fierce Robb shot. As the Dons kept up the pressure Ford headed behind for safety when Jocky Scott crossed into the goalmouth. On the few occasions that Dundee threatened, Eddie Thomson snuffed out any danger and Bobby Clark was not troubled. Billy Williamson began to surge into attack to reinforce the one-way traffic. There was a sudden Dundee break when Strachan cleverly sent Willie Miller the wrong way before shooting wide. At this stage everybody except Clark was in the Dundee half but the folly of this was seen when Dundee broke quickly and Wallace should have scored. Despite this hiccup Aberdeen resumed their offensive and when Pirie cleverly dummied a cross Graham's shot beat Allan but rebounded off Stewart's leg. A Pirie header and a Drew Jarvie shot both went close before Johnston almost scored for Dundee. Williamson did put the ball into the net but he had allegedly fouled the 'keeper. Some needle had crept into the game but the Dons trooped off at half-time wondering why the scoreline was still blank.

A Robb shot which rebounded off the crossbar was a sure sign that the Dons intended to maintain their relentless pressure. Pirie then laid the ball off to the attack-minded Williamson but he missed yet another golden opportunity. As long as the game remained goalless the Dens Park side reckoned they had a chance and the Dons almost paid for the missed opportunities when Caldwell, who had replaced Johnston, headed against Clark's crossbar, Then Pirie was replaced by John McMaster. Purdie almost surprised the Dons with a long-range shot but Clark was alert and tipped the ball over the bar. Then came a couple of sensational minutes which settled the outcome of the game. In 72 minutes Williamson took a free kick, Iain Hair headed on the ball to Jarvie who back-headed the ball into the danger zone for Scott to run in and score against his old club. Two minutes later the Dons increased their lead from the penalty spot. Graham was sent through and as he squared the ball across the goal, where incidentally, there were no Aberdeen players, he was flattened by Allan. The Dundee players protested vehemently but the delay did not upset Williamson who scored with ease. Dundee withdrew Strachan and sent on Philip and in the last ten minutes Aberdeen tried to play possession football. Just before the final whistle Wallace was fouled in box but Robinson had his spot-kick saved by Clark. Aberdeen had taken a long time to turn their territorial supremacy into the tangible reward of goals.

Match programme, 2nd January 1993