Simon Murray equalising for Dundee against St JohnstoneImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Simon Murray equalised for the hosts against their Tayside rivals

Dundee missed out on the chance to move six points clear of bottom side St Johnstone after being held to a draw by their relegation rivals at Dens Park.

Both managers were satisfied with the point and stressed the importance of avoiding defeat as the gap between the league's bottom two remains just three points.

Docherty's hosts had to come from behind to earn a point but passed up numerous opportunities to claim all three.

Saints striker Makenzie Kirk fired the visitors ahead after 40 minutes with his 10th goal of the season, but their lead did not last.

Simon Murray latched on to captain Joe Shaughnessy's flick-on to net his 16th of the campaign and equalise just before half time.

The hosts dominated the second period but failed to find a winner. Aaron Donnelly, Murray and Scott Tiffoney were all guilty of missing big chances as Dundee make it eight matches without a win.

Dundee rue missed chances again

Dundee have not won since beating St Johnstone at the start of January.

At that point, there were four league places and 10 points between the sides.

This match presented the hosts an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and bottom spot, but they failed to take it.

Just as they did against Motherwell on Wednesday, Dundee saved their best for the second half, but their best was not enough.

This team has no issue controlling matches, they just cannot seem to knit things together in the final third and that is why they are still in a relegation battle.

Great escape still on?

St Johnstone are not playing like a side who are going down.

Manager Simo Valakari conceded before this match that his side are favourites for the drop, but recent performances suggest that there is plenty of fight left in his team.

Despite missing out on the opportunity to move level on points with Saturday's opponents, a point away from home keeps them within touching distance.

The supporters stayed behind to applaud the players off the pitch at full-time; they still believe.

Perhaps the great escape is on.

What they said

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I know the importance of the winning the game, but there's also an importance of not losing the game.

"We looked solid with Joe [Shaughnessy] in there organising. The biggest positive I can take is that my captain is back. We've stopped the rot and we've picked up a point, but it maybe should've been three."

St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "One of our issues has been in these games, when we cannot win, we have lost it. We could not win, but we were able to the get draw - I am very pleased with that.

"I'm very happy with how we defended these moments at the end. Overall, an okay away performance."