Dundee  0 - 1  Airdrie United : Sunday, 3rd January 2010

McDonald seals shock United win

Kevin McDonald's first-half penalty proved enough to hand rock-bottom Airdrie United a sensational 1-0 win at First Division leaders Dundee in a thrilling clash at Dens Park.

McDonald scored the game's only goal in the 25th minute, coolly converting from 12 yards after James Lauchlan had been penalised for a foul on Diarmuid O'Carroll.

By that stage Dundee had already hit the crossbar through Patrick Clarke, before spurning a glorious opportunity to take the lead when Leigh Griffiths saw his penalty saved by Stephen Robertson.

The hosts suffered a further blow in first-half injury-time when Gary MacKenzie received a straight red card for a tackle on Stephen Robertson.

O'Carroll and John Baird were both denied by Dundee goalkeeper Rab Douglas after the break as Airdrie looked to make the most of their numerical advantage.

Douglas was also forced to make two superb stops to deny Darren Smith in the closing minutes, while at the other end Robertson parried Richard Hart's injury-time strike to safety.

There was further drama to come as Airdrie's Robert Donnelly saw red for a second bookable offence, but the visitors held on to record a first away league victory of the season and inflict a first home defeat on Dundee.