Dundee Utd Win Derby thanks to birthday boy

lets laugh at Dundee
By Sean Saranczuk
April 21 2002

Dundee defender Lee Wilkie scored an own goal on his 22nd birthday to give Dundee United a 1-0 win.

Dundee defender Lee Wilkie scored an own goal on his 22nd birthday to give Dundee United a 1-0 win.

Jim Paterson's 41st minute effort was pushed away by Dundee goalkeeper Julian Speroni, but deflected off Wilkie into the net.

The result sees the Tannadice side leapfrog their city rivals as they chase seventh place before the end of the season.

But either side could have claimed the spoils in a closely-fought contest.

A mistake by Javier Artero in his own area almost let Paterson and Derek Lilley in but, after the ball bounced in the box, a defender was able to clear.

Gavin Rae fired in the first shot of the game after Artero found him in space in the area but Paul Gallacher was behind the shot.

Gallacher almost cost his side a goal in the eighth minute when he delayed a clearance and allowed Steven Milne to close him down.

The goalkeeper got the ball away but only as far as Juan Sara, who fired goalwards. But Gallacher made amends with a crucial block with his legs.

United were beginning to dominate, with the home side committing too many fouls and they took the lead in the 41st minute thanks to an own goal from Wilkie.

The home fans became animated when it became clear Giorgio Nemsadze's comeback was close as United gained control of the match once more.

At the other end, Wilkie did well to slide in and stop Lilley going clear after Venetis had headed the ball on.