Bannon sees red for the first time

11 Sep 1989

Dundee 2, Hearts 2

EAMONN Bannon's first red card in 12 years of top-class football on both sides of the Border was the only blemish to what otherwise was a satisfactory afternoon for Alex MacDonald's Edinburgh visitors.

Fans on the Dens Park terracings scarcely could believe what was unfolding before their eyes as the normally undemonstrative Bannon stepped right out of character in a thirty-fourth minute retaliation incident involving Dundee's Albert Craig.

Referee Bill Morrison took the ultimate action, one of the few correct decisions he made, and Bannon made an embarrassed early departure.

Manager MacDonald said: "There will be no disciplinary action taken against the player.

Frankly, I am having difficulty in believing what I saw.

It simply is not like Bannon to get himself involved like that.

I am just disappointed for him."

The Hearts manager was much less disappointed in his side's ability to cope with the loss of such a key player and still come so close to capturing both points from what, traditionally, is a difficult fixture for Hearts.

They had recovered from the loss of an early goal by Dundee striker Keith Wright, to level matters with a deft Dave McPherson head flick prior to Bannon's departure.

Such was the determination shown by Hearts thereafter that it came as no surprise when Scott Crabbe edged them in front from the penalty spot seconds from half time to take his scoring tally to eight in only six league and cup outings.

For the vast majority of the second half, it appeared that their lead would be enough, with Dundee looking incapable of prising open a resolute visiting defence.

But fate took a hand when striker Duncan Campbell was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage which was serious enough to leave him hobbling about today, his nineteenth birthday, on crutches.

Substitute Graham Harvey added a vital spark to Dundee's late bid and prompted hopes of a more regular starting place in the Dens line-up with the equaliser only 14 minutes from the end.

DUNDEE -- Geddes, Shannon, Albiston, McLeod, Chisholm, Forsyth, Craig, Beedie, Wright, D Campbell, McBride.

Substitutes -- McGeachie, Harvey.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Kirkwood, Levein, McPherson, Colquhoun, Mackay, Musemic, Crabbe, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Robertson, McCreery.

Referee -- W R Morrison (Carluke).