Dundee 2-2 Aberdeen: Hosts six points adrift after dramatic draw
- Published
Calvin Ramsay drilled in the opener for his first Aberdeen goal
Manager Mark McGhee insists Dundee can still salvage Scottish Premiership survival "even though people are writing us off" after a thrilling draw with Aberdeen deepened their plight.
Dundee twice battled back, with Danny Mullen heading an 86th-minute equaliser for the bottom club shortly after Ross McCrorie looked to have won it.
Jordan McGhee earlier cancelled out Calvin Ramsay's first Aberdeen goal.
Dundee are now six points adrift after St Johnstone's win over Livingston.
With just six games remaining, time is fast running out but McGhee said: "It could be a huge point for us.
"We've got the derby next week and those are never predictable, while St Johnstone have a difficult game against Celtic. We know we need to get something.
"The six points isn't insurmountable even though people are writing us off."
Charlie Adam spent just half an hour on the pitch but the Dundee captain was instrumental in preventing a third straight league defeat, with both equalisers coming from the substitute's deliveries.
It leaves McGhee searching for a first win eight games into his tenure, while Aberdeen will be kicking themselves at letting victory slip from their grasp. They nudge up a place to ninth but their top-six fate is out of their hands.
Jim Goodwin's side showed the greater cut and thrust throughout and Ramsay's belting opener was overdue by the time it arrived shortly before the break.
Connor MacLennan sent a swerving 25-yard strike shuddering against the bar, with David Bates' header then expertly tipped over by Dundee goalkeeper Ian Lawlor.
Christian Ramirez was thwarted by Cammy Kerr's goalline clearance after Lawlor could only parry a raking Ramsay drive.
Just as Dundee looked set to hang on level until half-time, Ramsay had the hefty travelling support rising in acclaim of one of their own.
The full-back cut in from the right on to his weaker left foot and lasered a drive just inside the near post. A moment to remember for the highly-rated 18-year-old.
Dundee's best openings had fallen to Mullen, who trickled a shot at Joe Lewis and drilled narrowly over. Paul McGowan also curled one too high, summing up Dundee's efforts as Lewis wasn't called upon until picking the ball out of the net.
Adam, with virtually his first touch, sent a deep free-kick to the back post where McGhee squeezed a header in at the near post for his first goal of the season.
Aberdeen regrouped and piled forward in search of a winner. They thought they had found it when Jonny Hayes fired the ball towards the box, Marley Watkins nodded on and McCrorie slid in an angled finish.
But the visitors' defending was shocking as they again came undone at an Adam set-piece, with Mullen allowed far too much space to glance a header beyond Lewis.
Watkins twice came close to restoring Aberdeen's lead in a dramatic finale, but Dundee clung on for the point.
Man of the match - Charlie Adam
The 36-year-old had a stunning impact with two assists to help his side rescue a point
What did we learn?
Dundee can't be accused of lacking heart for the battle, but this draw is hugely damaging to their hopes of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.
With just one win in their last 17 Premiership games, they now need to somehow summon a stunning run-in to give themselves a fighting chance.
At least the return of Adam from a four-match injury absence provides a glimpse of hope. The midfielder's dead-ball prowess helped turn a defeat into a point and all his experience and craft will be required if Dundee are to complete a great escape.
As for Aberdeen, the bright performances of Ramsay and fellow teenager Connor Barron can't atone for another disappointing away result and soft concessions.
One win in 16 on the road shows the Pittodrie men remain vulnerable despite Goodwin having replaced Stephen Glass as manager.
To squeeze into the top six, Aberdeen now need to win their final pre-split fixture at home to Ross County next weekend and hope other results go their way.
What did they say?
Dundee manager Mark McGhee: "Charlie Adam hadn't trained until Friday. I didn't think for a minute he could contribute but he came to see me and told me he thought he was well enough to give us a little bit. He made a brilliant contribution."
Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin: "Frustration is the key word. It's a game we should have won comfortably.
"We've had over 20 attempts on goal with eight or nine on target. We've hit the crossbar, had one cleared off the line, and should have been two or three up at half-time. We've conceded two extremely poor free-kicks."
What's next?
Dundee round off their pre-split schedule with a derby against Dundee United at Tannadice next Saturday, while Aberdeen host top-six rivals Ross County (both 15:00 BST).
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