Dundee secured a deserved draw against Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon.
There was plenty of pleasing-on-the-eye football on show from both sides however neither team could translate that into goals.
The big team news before kick-off from a Dundee perspective was the inclusion of new signing, French centre-half Kevin Gomis, who came in for Julen Etxabeguren, while Rory Loy was relegated to a substitute role.
The home side made the better start, dominating possession and territory but it was the Dark Blues who had the first big chance of the game in the 20th minute when El Bakhtaoui hit a low, angled drive which Motherwell keeper Craig Samson could only parry.
The Dundee striker pounced on the rebound but defender Ben Heneghan made a vital last-ditch intervention to block his second attempt.
Motherwell’s Scott McDonald then tried his luck from 25 yards with his dipping shot flying just over Dundee keeper Scott Bain’s bar.
For all of the Steelmen’s attractive football, overall Bain had relatively little to do and Dundee comfortably saw out the half with the teams heading in at the break with the deadlock yet to be broken.
McDonald tried his luck again from long-range in the 56th minute and this time his shot was on target with Bain taking no chances, punching the ball away from goal.
El Bakhtaoui then embarked on a superb solo run before hitting a shot from the edge of the home box but he dragged his effort wide.
Motherwell hearts were in their mouths shortly after when Michael Duffy hit a fizzing strike from all of 30 yards with the ball flying inches past Samson’s right-hand post.
The Dark Blues were now in the ascendant and Samson had to come to the rescue in the 70th minute to palm away a rising El Bakhtaoui shot.
The game was poised on a knife edge but there was to be no dramatic finish with both sides having to settle for a point apiece.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
