1994: Dundee 4 Dunfermline 4

Memorable Match #82
Scottish First Division
Dens Park
Saturday 1st October 1994

In the Ladbrokes Championship match away to Dundee in December 2019 the Fifers were 4-1 down and had only ten men. As the visitors fought back seeking just one goal for a draw, fans lucky enough to recall the trip to Dens Park in October 1994 were hoping for a similar 4-4 outcome. Alas that wasn’t to be but enjoy the 1994 version that had a happy ending.

This was a game that had everything - good football, plenty goalmouth action, late drama - and although the managers didn’t like it, it had the Dundee supporters on the edge of their seats and the Pars fans singing in the rain.

Dunfermline travelled to Dens Park as First Division leaders, four points ahead of Dundee in second place. The home team were without players of the calibre of Neil McCann, Dusan Vito and Neil Duffy but still had an extremely potent strike force. Athletic boss Bert Paton tried to counter this by playing Craig Robertson in defence and Andy Tod in midfield.

After wasting several chances, the Pars finally took the lead after 22 minutes. Paul Smith played a one-two with Hamish French at the edge of the box and slipped the ball through for Stewart Petrie to find the net past the outrushing Mathers. 0-1

Dunfermline dominated the first half only to be caught napping at a 36th minute free kick. Jim Hamilton hammered in a low cross from the left wing which the unmarked George Shaw drove past Ian Westwater. 1-1

Half time: Dundee 1 Dunfermline 1

Dundee took full advantage of a loose McNamara pass to go ahead in 56 minutes. With the full back out of position Paul Tosh steamed down the wing and crossed for SHAW to head his second. 2-1

Within two minutes Dunfermline were level again. After a free kick, the ball broke to Paul Smith who powered a 20 yard shot past Mathers for his 100th goal in senior football. 2-2

Unfortunately Dundee scores their third in 66th minute. Hamilton’s cross was deflected off Ivo Den Bieman and with Dunfermline’s two central defenders marking Gerry Britton at the front post, the ball landed kindly for TOSH to force home. 3-2

With only eleven minutes remaining the Pars looked dead and buried when BRITTON took a return pass from Shaw to crash the ball past the helpless Ian Westwater. Losing 4-2 the Pars showed all their fighting spirit to stage a remarkable fight back.

In 85 minutes Stewart Petrie was upended by Mathers, earning the Pars a penalty and the Dundee keeper a yellow card. Hamish FRENCH buried the spot kick. 4-3

Next minute Westie launched a speculative free kick into the Dundee box. Blacke cleared it only as far as Derek Laing out on the right and his inch perfect pass was met by Norrie McCATHIE whose header flew into the net.

While Pars fans in the 4784 crowd were jubilant at extending their unbeaten run to seven in what was to go on to be 12, ‘Dee boss Jim Duffy was left to rue the loss of twelve goals in three successive league games.

Dunfermline and Dundee would go on to finish on 68 points, one behind champions Raith Rovers. The Pars then failed to win Scottish football’s first ever play off against Aberdeen.

DUNDEE: Paul Mathers: Ray Farningham, John McQuillan, Kevin Bain, Noel Blake, Jim Duffy, George Shaw, Morten Weighorst, Paul Tosh (Mike Teasdale 85), Gerry Britton, Jim Hamilton.
SCORERS: Shaw (36, 56), Tosh (66), Britton (79)

DUNFERMLINE: Ian Westwater: Mark Bowes (Andy Hawkins 67), Jackie McNamara, Norrie McCathie, Andy Tod, Paul Smith, Ivo Den Bieman (Derek Laing 75), Craig Robertson, Hamish French, Stewart Petrie, Kenny Ward
SCORERS: Petrie (22), Smith (58), French (85 pen.), McCathie (86)

Related Stories

• 1995: Aberdeen 3 Dunfermline 1
• 1998: Dunfermline 2 Dundee United 1
• 2002: Dunfermline 2 Dundee 0
• 2012: Raith Rovers 1 Dunfermline 3
• Memorable Matches Menu