Dundee’s drew their first pre-season friendly against Birkirkara at the Luxol Sports Club in Malta on Friday night.

Ludovic Roy was the first keeper to be tested getting down to save in ten minutes, while at the other end Jim Lauchlan came closest for the Dark Blues, powering in a header midway through the half which the Birkirkara keeper held.

In a fast, open game the early stages saw both sides fail to make the best of midfield possession, but as the half progressed Dundee came more into the game with David O’Brien getting in some good crosses after runs down the left, though Roy was called into action again in 37 minutes saving a shot from outside the box following Birkirkara’s first corner of the match.

There were four trialists in Dundee’s starting eleven with Sean Webb and Jim Lauchlan in partnership at the back.

Eric Paton fired in a free kick and from it Craig Forsyth brought a save from the keeper as Dundee pressed and Mickael Antoine-Curier didn’t connect properly in front of goal from a Forsyth cross.

Antoine-Curier almost made amends moments later, coming close with a stinging drive from just inside the penalty area.

With nine minutes left Lauchlan and the other remaining trialist were replaced by Gary MacKenzie and Ross Grant.

Dundee had been comfortable at the back in the second period but Birkirkara almost snatched a win as Roy dived full length and was relieved to see the ball slip past the post.

Dundee—Roy, Cowan (Paton 46), Webb (Grant 81), Lauchlan (MacKenzie 81), Malone (Forsyth 46), Trialist (Young 73), McHale, Trialist (Daquin 46), O’Brien (Gilhaney 46), McMenamin (Antoine-Curier 46), Davidson (Deasley 46).