Dundee 2 - 2 Inverness CT: Fans get money's worth

Published on Saturday 22 August 2009 20:58

CASH-RICH Dundee may not find it quite so easy to reach the promised land of the Scottish Premier League as the pundits predicted.

However, one thing is for sure, the roller-coaster ride that they hope will ultimately see them lift the First Division trophy promises to be a thrill-a-minute attraction.

Twice they took the lead yesterday through fans' favourite Gary Harkins and twice they were pegged back by Danni Sanchez and Lee Cox. All too often, promotion jousts are nervy, cagey affairs but this was the polar opposite. Exciting, fast, free-flowing football, it was an end-to-end classic.

However, at times that had as much to do with the defensive frailties of both sides as their desire to attack. Still, the 5,507 who paid to watch this one certainly got their money's worth.

The goalfest began on nine minutes as Sean Higgins set up Harkins who cut inside his man to drill low under Ryan Esson's body from 20 yards.

Inverness wasted little time in responding as they went straight up the park in search of an equaliser. Daniel Stratford cut the ball back for an unmarked Robert Eagle on 20 minutes. The former Norwich star should have netted but a brave goal-line block from Eric Paton kept the home side ahead. A minute later, Inverness were level as Sanchez sprang the offside trap and drilled the ball past Tony Bullock from ten yards.

The scoring was never going to end there, though, and Dundee restored their advantage on 29 minutes. Colin McMenamin broke clear on the edge of the penalty box and saw his drive blocked by Grant Munro. However, McMenamin pounced on the rebound to cross for Harkins and he volleyed home his second strike of the afternoon.

Again, though, Dundee lost their lead as Richie Foran cut the ball back for Cox to drill in his second goal in three games.

Dundee started the second half brightest and Paul McHale was unlucky to see his 25-yard effort go over the top. Harkins then tried to complete his hat-trick on 62 minutes but his bending free-kick went over the top.

However, as the game wore on, it was Inverness who seemed the more likely side and would have done but for some brave goalkeeping from Bullock.

Cox had a golden opportunity to carve out the winner on 70 minutes as he picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and with only Bullock to beat seemed a cert to score, but the keeper parried. Sanchez followed up with the rebound only to fire a tame effort wide. Moments later, Sanchez was again found wanting as he took a fresh-air swipe at a Foran pass with the goal at his mercy.

And in the final moments, Harkins cracked the post with a free kick to leave the game tied at 2-2.