By Sean Saranczuk
October 26 2003

Dundee United and Dundee shared the spoils in the first Tayside derby of the season in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Tannadice A 19th minute penalty by Nacho Novo, after he had been needlessly tugged to the ground inside the box by United defender David McCracken, had given the visitors a well deserved half-time lead.

However, United rallied after the break to equalise through a fine Jim McIntyre header and dominated the second period but just could not get the winner.

The refreshingly rare spectacle of a packed Tannadice roared their sides on straight from the kick-off and within 10 seconds it was the visitors who almost took a shock early lead.

A slack back pass from United midfielder Craig Easton allowed Novo to run through on goal but the little Spaniard's poor attempt at a lob was snuffed out by home 'keeper Paul Gallacher.

The visitors put the United goal under siege and moments later Gallacher pulled off a great near-post save from Fabian Caballero whose angled shot from 12 yards was pushed past the post for the corner.

In the 14th minute an Andy McLaren cross from the right found Billy Dodds unmarked at the back post but the veteran striker headed wide of the near post, and two minutes later Fabrizio Ravanelli sent a curling left-footed free-kick from 25 yards inches past Gallacher's left hand post.

But the Italian's close shave only delayed the inevitable. In the 19th minute the visitors were awarded a penalty when United defender McCracken clumsily fouled Novo inside the box and the little Spaniard picked himself up and sent Gallacher the wrong way from the spot to give the Dark Blues the lead.

The Tannadice men pressed after the interval with rekindled enthusiasm and, in the 56th minute, they got the equaliser their second half pressure probably deserved.

Jim Paterson crossed an inviting ball in from the left and McIntyre rose to head a powerful header from 10 yards past the despairing Julian Speroni.

At the other end `keeper Gallacher and defender Chris Innes collided whilst dealing with a Ravanelli cross, almost allowing Caballero in for an easy tap-in but eventually the danger was cleared.

But United were on top now and, in the 66th minute, following a penalty box melee, Tannadice defender Alan Archibald blasted a shot from the edge of the box just a foot over Speroni's crossbar.

A Ravanelli flick from close range was blocked by McCracken and then Gallacher pulled off a great double save from Novo.

In the closing stages it was the home side who looked the more likely but in the end Dundee held on for a deserved point.

Dundee United and Dundee shared the spoils in the first Tayside derby of the season in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Tannadice

A 19th minute penalty by Nacho Novo, after he had been needlessly tugged to the ground inside the box by United defender David McCracken, had given the visitors a well deserved half-time lead.

However, United rallied after the break to equalise through a fine Jim McIntyre header and dominated the second period but just could not get the winner.

The refreshingly rare spectacle of a packed Tannadice roared their sides on straight from the kick-off and within 10 seconds it was the visitors who almost took a shock early lead.

A slack back pass from United midfielder Craig Easton allowed Novo to run through on goal but the little Spaniard's poor attempt at a lob was snuffed out by home 'keeper Paul Gallacher.

The visitors put the United goal under siege and moments later Gallacher pulled off a great near-post save from Fabian Caballero whose angled shot from 12 yards was pushed past the post for the corner.

In the 14th minute an Andy McLaren cross from the right found Billy Dodds unmarked at the back post but the veteran striker headed wide of the near post, and two minutes later Fabrizio Ravanelli sent a curling left-footed free-kick from 25 yards inches past Gallacher's left hand post.

But the Italian's close shave only delayed the inevitable. In the 19th minute the visitors were awarded a penalty when United defender McCracken clumsily fouled Novo inside the box and the little Spaniard picked himself up and sent Gallacher the wrong way from the spot to give the Dark Blues the lead.

The Tannadice men pressed after the interval with rekindled enthusiasm and, in the 56th minute, they got the equaliser their second half pressure probably deserved.

Jim Paterson crossed an inviting ball in from the left and McIntyre rose to head a powerful header from 10 yards past the despairing Julian Speroni.

At the other end `keeper Gallacher and defender Chris Innes collided whilst dealing with a Ravanelli cross, almost allowing Caballero in for an easy tap-in but eventually the danger was cleared.

But United were on top now and, in the 66th minute, following a penalty box melee, Tannadice defender Alan Archibald blasted a shot from the edge of the box just a foot over Speroni's crossbar.

A Ravanelli flick from close range was blocked by McCracken and then Gallacher pulled off a great double save from Novo.

In the closing stages it was the home side who looked the more likely but in the end Dundee held on for a deserved point.