SPL: Dundee were held to a goalless draw in Sunday's SPL clash with Kilmarnock

Jim McAlister: Saw a goal ruled out for offside

Bottom-placed Dundee played out a goalless draw with Kilmarnock in Sunday's SPL clash at Dens Park.

There was more frustration for banned Killie boss Kenny Shiels as the visitors dominated the game but failed to grab a crucial winner.

Kilmarnock cannot have played as meekly all season and their manager - who still faces another three games in the stands after he was punished for comments made about fourth official Andrew Dallas - did not enjoy the experience one bit.

The Clydesdale Bank Premier League stalemate was a chance for his side to close in on the top six and yet they could not overcome a Dark Blues team fighting for their lives at the foot of the table.

For long spells it was a mundane contest but Dundee will feel they could have wrestled all three points and closed the gap on 11th-placed St Mirren to just nine points.

But the draw with Killie leaves the gap separating them from safety at 11 and means their run without a victory now extends to eight games.

And yet they had chances. Jim McAlister netted with a fine strike from outside the box early on but saw it chalked off after Colin Nish had wandered offside in the build-up.

John Baird went close as well when he sent a volley from an acute angle crashing onto the woodwork.

But Killie clung on for their fourth stalemate in their last six encounters.

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