Dumbarton and Dundee require a replay after Saturday stalemate

The Ladbrokes Premiership side were largely dominant but their Championship opponents defended resolutely to earn a replay at Dens Park.

The visitors started the game with real purpose and nearly went in front after just four minutes.

Greg Stewart found room on the edge of the box and fired a crisp left footed strike which cannoned off Jamie Ewings' right hand post, before the Sons goalkeeper smothered the rebound from Rory Loy.

The Dark Blues heaped pressure on Dumbarton in the early stages with the home side struggling to cope. Gary Harkins was next to threaten with an effort from long range but it went wide.

Dumbarton grew into the game after a shaky start. Their main threat came from Christian Nade, on his Sons debut after completing a move from Hamilton.

The French striker won a free-kick 30 yards from goal just before the half hour mark, his presence prevented Darren O'Dea clearing Tom Walsh's delivery but Darren Barr's shot from the rebound was blocked.

Dundee thought they had broken the deadlock after 36 minutes after Loy played Kane Hemmings through on goal. The striker lifted the ball over the onrushing Ewings and it was heading for the net before an impressive goal-line clearance from Mark Docherty.

The pitch cut up badly in the second half, making for conditions which were never going to be conducive to free-flowing football.

Dundee continued to have the bulk of the play but the sizeable away support were growing increasingly restless at the lack of clear-cut chances being created.

Hemmings had the ball in the net after 56 minutes after being played through on goal - but the linesman's flag was quickly up.

Dumbarton's Tom Walsh showed good skill on the wing soon after to skip past challenges from Paul McGowan and Paul McGinn - but his cross was just out of Nade's reach.

The hosts enjoyed a good spell in the middle of the second half, Docherty curled a right footed effort just wide in the 64th minute.

It was turning into a frustrating day for Paul Hartley's side, with set-pieces seeming the best route for them to breach Sons' well organised defence.

Harkins was close to doing so as he stooped to head a Stewart corner but his effort flew just over the bar, before substitute Arturo spurned a golden opportunity for the Dens Park side minutes after coming on.

Loy's square ball set up the Spaniard - but he scuffed his effort straight at Ewings.

Both teams pressed for a winner into the closing stages with the hosts putting in some dangerous crosses and Kevin Holt and Stewart going close for Dundee - but it ended goalless.