Dundee 1-1 St Johnstone: Saints secure Tayside derby draw after late drama at Dens Park
Report as Dundee and St Johnstone draw 1-1 at Dens Park; the Dark Blues looked to have sealed all three points when substitute Charlie Reilly netted in the 87th minute; Saints sub Josh Fowler responded in the 90th minute to ensure the visitors avoided a third straight league loss
Wednesday 2 September 2026 23:21, UK
St Johnstone claimed a 1-1 draw in the Tayside derby after a dramatic conclusion at Dens Park.
After a goalless, lacklustre first half shaded by the visitors, the Dark Blues looked to have sealed all three points when substitute Charlie Reilly netted in the 87th minute.
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But Saints sub Josh Fowler responded in the 90th minute to ensure the visitors avoided a third straight Scottish Premiership defeat.
The hosts made three changes to the team that lost to Hibernian on Sunday with Brad Halliday, Bobby Wales and Alan Forrest coming in for Drey Wright, Bradley Fink and Reilly.
Shortly before kick-off, Dundee announced the signing of Jack Moorhouse on a season-long loan from Manchester United but he was not in the matchday squad.
Saints made two alterations to the side that was beaten by Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday with Fowler and Liam Smith making way for Matty Todd and Taylor Steven.
St Johnstone were the first to threaten in the sixth minute when Enes Alic cut the ball back from the right to Steven who hit a sweet strike that was pushed for a corner by home goalkeeper Owen Goodman.
Dundee's first chance arrived 13 minutes later. Saints keeper Toby Steward came to punch a cross with home striker Joe Westley getting his head to it first but the ball bounced just past the post.
Steven had the ball in the net just before the half-hour mark but the goal was ruled out for an earlier infringement.
As the half drew to a close, the Perth side pinned Dundee back with Goodman having to look lively to keep out a deflected Sam Stanton shot.
Dundee finally created their first big opportunity of the game in the 60th minute when Westley was sent clean through on goal but his low shot from just inside the Saints box flew past Steward's left-hand post.
Saints finally threatened in the 64th minute with Kai Fotheringham coming off the bench and shortly after he sent a curling strike just wide.
Dundee hit back with Westley having a half chance inside the Saints box but Steward made a vital block, sending the ball out for a corner.
Further home pressure saw the ball fall kindly for Reilly but his composure deserted him and he blasted well over.
However, the winger made no mistake in the 87th minute. A looping header from Westley cannoned off the crossbar and Reilly was first to react to nod the ball home.
That seemed to be that but Saints dug out another chance in the 90th minute with Fowler smashing a shot on the turn past the helpless Goodman to secure a point.
What the managers said:
Dundee boss Steven Pressley:
"St Johnstone had the greater percentage of possession. I thought that we had the bigger chances within the game.
"Overall, the draw was a true reflection of the game.
"But obviously, after scoring so late on, we hoped we'd see the game out.
"I was happy with some aspects of the performance but there was a recurring theme from the last couple of games.
"We need to improve in possession. We need to have more sustained periods controlling the game. We surrendered possession too often.
"We are a danger on the counter-attack but we also have got to get a little bit better on controlling games and sustaining the pressure.
"At home, we obviously always want to win games of football. You never know in football just how important that point would be.
"We always respond positively to setbacks like the one at the weekend.
"But we're disappointed when we took the lead not to see the game through."
St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari:
"We had lost two matches and some moments of those two matches we have performed very, very well.
"So to come here and to play as we did tonight, I am very pleased for our players.
"They showed the character to play in this pressure environment in a local derby against a good opponent.
"We are a little bit different to how we were last year but I know the players never ever give up.
"They pushed until the end and we deservedly got our goal.
"We will take that one point in an away match and now we will recover."
