Queen of the South 0 - 0 Dundee

A SHARE of the points saw both sides move off the foot of the table, after what can only be described as a totally forgettable afternoon in Dumfries.

In the tightest of leagues it may have been exaggerating a little to describe yesterday’s encounter as a relegation six-pointer but, given the lack of skill, inspiration and ability on show by both sides, their current league positions appear justified.

Dundee boss Barry Smith said: “We played much better the previous week and lost, so it is a point gained. There was not much between the sides and both sides cancelled each other out.”

Queens, bidding for a third successive home league win, might have trailed after 15 minutes but for an excellent full-length diving save by goalkeeper Lee Robinson, who threw himself to his right to clutch a first-time 16-yard angled drive by Jamie McCluskey, who ran onto a long ball out of defence by Craig McKeown.

And, in 28 minutes, the Dark Blues threatened again when Nicky Riley created space for himself on the left, cut onto his right foot and rifled in a low 20-yard shot which Robinson got down to brilliantly push round a post.

Dundee, who have only lost once to Queens in their last seven clashes, were by far the more positive of the protagonists yet, despite their domination, might have gone behind two minutes before the break when a quickly-taken free-kick allowed Nicky Clark to run on and lob goalkeeper Rab Douglas but the ball sailed just over.

Queen’s boss Gus MacPherson said: “A point was all that we deserved. It was two systems which matched up. Dundee had the better of it in the first half, but I am happy at the way we defended.”