Peterhead 0-0 Dundee (AET, Dundee win 4-1 on penalties)

By John Lees
Published on 01/08/2012 00:50

DUNDEE prevailed in Peterhead last night, but only after a marathon struggle and penalty kicks.

The SPL new boys won through 4-1 from the spot in the first round of the Scottish Communities League Challenge Cup after their Third Division opponents stood strong in a scoreless 120 minutes. Ryan Conroy hit the clinching penalty after Rab Douglas saved from Peterhead skipper Callum MacDonald and Scott McLaughlin struck the bar.

Dundee’s elevation to the SPL meant this tie being dragged back from a Saturday scheduling.

With an already tight squad hit by injuries to skipper Stephen O’Donnell, Steven Milne, Nicky Riley and Iain Davidson, Dark Blues boss Barry Smith had to dust down his boots for the first time in two years and man the bench.

The Blue Toon, meanwhile, handed a first competitive start to 37-year-old former Aberdeen and Dundee United striker Robbie Winters. Dundee threatened in the first minute with John Baird’s 25-yard strike soaring only narrowly over. But Winters and former Inverness striker Rory McAllister linked well and the latter flashed a shot wide after 12 minutes.

Former Scotland keeper Rab Douglas was at full stretch after 25 minutes to beat away a Scott McLaughlin free-kick. A poor clearance from Douglas five minutes after the restart gifted Peterhead an opportunity, but Redman headed over. The game soon fizzled out into extra-time and the two sides faced penalty drama.

TEAMS

Peterhead: Jarvie, Sharp, Noble, Ross, Macdonald, Cowie, Strachan, Redman, McAllister, Winters (Deasley 69), McLaughlin. Subs: Maguire, McBain, Kelly, Knowles.

Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, Benedictus, McGregor, Gallagher, Webster, McBride, McIntosh, J Baird, Conroy. Subs not used: McCluskey, Reid, Cavanagh, Smith, A Baird.

Referee: I Brines. Attendance: 844