Hartley: 'Bain's Save Kept Us In The Game'

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Dundee manager Paul Hartley praised goalkeeper Scott Bain for helping his team pull off their late show against rivals Dundee United at Tannadice.

Dark Blues number one Bain defied United substitute Simon Murray as he pushed his late effort onto the cross-bar at 2-1 - just before James McPake secured a dramatic 2-2 draw for Hartley's men in stoppage time.

Greg Stewart sparked the visitors' comeback with his 81st-minute strike after 19-year-old Blair Spittal's double earlier in the second half had put the hosts in the driving seat.

He kept us in the game,'' Hartley said.

I think it's a world-class save. It was as good as I have seen. It was better than the one he pulled off against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last season.

I thought the game was a good advert for Scottish football.

I think last season we would have lost that game. There was great spirit, desire and determination from the boys.

I thought we were by far the better team in the first half.

We're creating the chances but we're just not taking them, which we've said to the players.''

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara spoke of his disappointment at losing two points right at the death after being 2-0 in front early in the second period.

It does feel a bit like a defeat,'' McNamara said.In the first half, our keeper had some good saves, but we always seem to do better shooting down the hill towards our own fans.

I thought we were excellent after the break. We scored two and I felt we could have scored more.

Their keeper had a great save from Simon Murray.

We're obviously disappointed to lose a goal when we did, but that's football for you.

Blair scored two fantastic goals, which was a big positive.

The young lads in our team will learn a lot from tonight.''

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