All square in Tayside derby

Novo took advantage of a slip-up in the United defence

Dundee United 1-1 Dundee

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Dundee United and Dundee fought out an entertaining draw in the third Tayside derby of the season.

A first-half own goal from Dave MacKay gave the home side the lead, but they were pegged back before the break as Nacho Novo scored the equaliser.

The match started at a furious pace, with both sides on the offensive.

The visitors were first to threaten and forced Dundee United keeper Paul Gallacher into action after only five minutes.

Barry Smith picked up a loose Novo pass wide on the left and delivered a teasing cross into the area aimed at Caballero.

But Gallacher was able to stretch and nick the ball off the Argentine's head.

United took 17 minutes to trouble Julian Speroni in the Dundee goal, but when they did finally carve out a chance it was a golden scoring opportunity.

Stuart Duff broke down the right flank and delivered a cross into the penalty area that seemed to catch the Dundee defence flat-footed.

Hamilton met the cross with a half-volley eight yards from goal, but Speroni managed to get a hand to the ball and knock it over the bar.

Miller got his marching orders in the second-half

United took the lead two minutes later and it was a terrible mix-up at the back from the visitors that broke the deadlock.

Charlie Miller launched a hopeful long ball into the Dundee half.

Dundee defender Dave MacKay and Speroni failed to communicate properly, and under pressure from Hamilton, MacKay headed the ball past his team-mate.

But Dundee continued to press and got themselves back into the game on the half an hour mark.

Caballero took possession of the ball mid-way in the United half and he delivered a clever pass over the top of the their defence.

Novo pounced as United left-back Gary Bollan slipped and the Spaniard drew the advancing Gallacher before slotting the ball past him and into the far corner of the net.

Dundee almost scored a second after 40 minutes, but Gallacher kept his side in the match with a superb save.

Neither side could get a grip on the match in the second half.

All too frequently possession was surrendered as both sides seemed keener to protect their goal than attack their opponents.

Mark Burchill was finally introduced to the action after 71 minutes as a replacement for Novo.

The on-loan Portsmouth player had the chance to cap his debut with a derby-winning goal.

But despite being picked out on the end of a cross eight yards out, his shot was his straight at Gallacher.

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Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Duff, McCraken, Wilson, Bollan, McIntyre, Miller, Easton, Paterson (Lilley 62), Hamilton (Chiarini 45), Dodds (Smart 71).
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Tod.

Sent Off: Miller (69).
Booked: Bollan, Easton, Miller.

Dundee: Speroni, Mackay, Wilkie, Khizanishvili, Smith, Mair, Brady, Nemsadze (Lovell 62), Rae, Caballero, Novo (Burchill 73).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Milne, Forbes.

Attendance: 10,457

Referee: John Rowbotham (Scotland).