ABERDEEN manager Derek McInnes claimed referee Craig Thomson should have awarded his team a "blatant" first-half penalty that could have transformed the clash with Dundee.

Niall McGinn's flicked shot in the 41st minute clearly struck Dundee defender Willie Dyer on the arm, and it came at a time when the Dons were looking to build on Adam Rooney's opener.

But Thomson was not interested in awarding a spot-kick, and Stephen McGinn equalised for the Dark Blues after the break, as the Dens Park tussle in the Scottish Premiership finished in a 1-1 draw.

McInnes said: "It was such a pivotal moment. It's a blatant penalty. It has cost us today because they've managed to get an equaliser after that.

"It's not all down to the referee, though, that we haven't won the game as we're still in a good position at 1-0.

"We had an excellent start and Dundee were forced into playing like an away team.

"I thought we were in charge of the game but gave Dundee encouragement by being a bit ponderous in the second half.

"The only time they really threatened us in the first half was when we were guilty of giving away cheap possession. It's something we spoke about at half-time.

"Rooney showed real strength and tenacity to get the ball into the net to put us ahead. It was a fantastic finish and I thought were looking at strong at that point.

"We had umpteen set-plays but we've been here before. In the second half, we let Dundee back into the game and the pitch didn't help.

"But from the minute Dundee got their equaliser I thought they were worthy of the point to be fair."

Dundee manager Paul Hartley praised his players for their recovery.

Hartley said: "I thought it was a real battle. Our players deserved that point against a team going for the title.

"I think we've shown in the games against Aberdeen this season that we are able to match them. That is encouraging for our point of view as they are a very good side, with quality all over the pitch."

Hartley was also adamant Dundee might have had a spot-kick.

"We could have had one and they could have had one so it evens itself out sometimes," he said.

"But I thought overall we fought hard and our keeper took the pressure off us at times."