Airdrie put in great performance at Dundee despite defeat

Nov 11 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Dundee 2 Airdrie Utd 1

IF victory over Ayr United was the first step on the path to recovery, this was the inevitable stumble, although one which did see pride remain intact.

They may have left Tayside pointless, but the display produced by Airdrie would have been enough to warm the cockles of the Diamonds faithful as winter’s cloak begins to engulf us.

Few expected Kenny Black’s men to emerge from Dens Park with something to show for their efforts and, in the end, the masses were not proved wrong. A home win had been predicted and that was eventually delivered.

A double from Airdrie native Sean Higgins put paid to any hopes the Diamonds harboured of causing a shock in the City of Discovery. He capitalised on sloppy defending twice in eight minutes to cancel out John Baird’s classy opener.

But Black’s men more than played their part in an entertaining match. They were bright, full of endeavour and created several chances as they built on the encouraging performance that saw off Ayr seven days earlier.

In the cold light of day, the manager will reflect on the positives and acknowledge that his side gave their lot in the quest to cause an upset. But as he stood under the glare of the floodlights, Black was only concerned with one thing.

“We lost two disappointing goals and some really poor defending has cost us,” he said. “It was the type of game that could have ended up 8-5.

“There were chances created at both ends and I was pleased that we kept going right to the end. But we needed to defend really well for the 90 minutes but we didn’t do that in my opinion.

“I was confident coming here. We have a decent record against Dundee but if you defend like we did, you will lose more games than you’ll win.”

In truth, both sides were suspect at the back, with neither looking comfortable under sustained pressure. The difference was the Dark Blues held out in the closing stages to preserve a win that sent them into second position.

Airdrie’s back four, on the other hand, struggled at times, particularly with crosses into the box. Higgins is no giant but he managed to win numerous high balls, one of which landed in the back of Stephen Robertson’s net.

Black’s displeasure with his centre-halves being unable to take charge in those situations was evident when he noted that the Dundee striker “was no Peter Crouch” yet he still gleaned plenty of success. Losing the aerial battle was something not anticipated in the gameplan.

In attack, however, Airdrie were lively and dangerous. Alan Trouten was a bundle of excitement when he got on the ball, there was lots of movement in the middle from Scott McLaughlin and Ricky Waddell was always a useful outlet on the left.

Hitman Diarmuid O’Carroll gave the Dundee rearguard’s credentials a stiff examination as he matched them physically, held the ball up well and linked play neatly. He was aided and abetted perfectly by the industrious Baird.

“I felt we deserved at least a point from the game, especially because of our second half performance,” said Baird. “There are lots of positives for us.

“It was good to get a goal but I’d far rather not score and win 3-1 like last week as opposed to putting one away and losing.”

Black’s decision to have a go was bold and brave. In plumping for a 4-4-2 formation, with attacking wingers, he placed faith in his players and showed he wasn’t prepared to dig the trenches and wait for the Dark Blues onslaught.

The drawback to a tactic like this, against a team with the pace and quality Dundee boast, is that space is left to be exploited and talents such as Leigh Griffiths are allowed to shine as opposed to being stifled and shackled.

Jocky Scott’s outfit had 25 efforts on goal, both on and off target, with Higgins hitting the woodwork once in each half.

Colin McMenamin also missed a couple of good opportunities as Dundee’s three-pronged strikeforce attempted to inflict major damage.

As time ran out, Airdrie pushed three up-front themselves and that led to Black’s troops enjoying a late assault on Rab Douglas’ goal. A deflected Ryan McCann shot which flew over and an O’Carroll header that dropped wide was as near as they would come to an equaliser.

Results elsewhere meant the status quo was maintained at the foot of the table. This has already become the league of two divisions with the top seven and bottom three clubs separated by an expanded gap of nine points.

Morton, Airdrie and Ayr will not be troubling the rest of the First Division with their presence as they decide the relegation and play-off issues among themselves. Achieving outright survival will be the sole aim of this trio from this point onwards.

Eighth place will be their equivalent of a title win.

Advertiser man of the match (3pts) - Diarmuid O’Carroll. Terrific shift up-front. John Baird (2pts), Stephen Robertson (1pt).

Moment of the match: Airdrie came so close to a leveller through O’Carroll late-on.

Dundee: Douglas; Paton, MacKenzie (Harkins 18), Lauchlan, Malone; Kerr (Cameron 78), McHale, Forysth; McMenamin, Higgins (Hart 90), Griffiths. Subs: Casement, Soutar(gk).

Airdrie: Robertson; McCann, Donnelly, Nixon (Keegan 78), Storey; Trouten, McDonald (Watt 69), McLaughlin, Waddell (Smith 69); O’Carroll, Baird. Subs: Lovering, Hollis(gk).

Booked: Trouten.

Referee: Frank McDermott.

Attendance: 4121