Dundee secured their first league win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park this afternoon. Josh Mulligan’s early goal proved decisive but the Dark Blues had to fight every inch of the way for the remaining 80 minutes to earn three valuable points against a relentless Rovers team that never gave up.
The Dark Blues made two changes to the team which started against Partick, but it was the same eleven that began the second half last week. Paul McMullan and Zak Rudden retained their places with Ben Williamson injured and Niall McGinn on the bench. Fin Robertson and Ian Lawlor were also injured. Lawlor’s absence meant a return for Adam Legzdins from a lengthy injury as the substitute keeper.
The Dee got off to a lively and promising start, working hard in the Raith half and forcing the defenders into hurried clearances and errors.
The opening goal after 13 minutes was deserved and came from Dundee pouncing again to win the ball inside the home half. After intercepting a clearance Jordan Marshall exchanged passes with Zak Rudden and raced into space down the left. His low cross was steered on the volley across goal and inside the far post by Josh MULLIGAN.
Dundee continued to look dangerous and dominant, but Rovers almost grabbed an equaliser out of nothing. A slip cost the Dee possession as they tried to break out of defence. The ball broke to Sam Stanton in space 20 yards out and his curling shot looked destined for the top corner. Only a superb save at full stretch by Harry Sharp preserved the Dee’s lead.
Stanton’s shot sparked Rovers into life and they were now far more threatening. They worked their way into good positions out wide, especially on the left, and started to send dangerous balls into the penalty area.
The Dee defence had to be on their toes to deal with Rovers’ attacking and Sharp made another fine save to keep out Stanton’s close range shot after Kieran Ngwenya found space on the left to cross.
Eight minutes from the interval Dundee lost Alex Jakubiak and Luke McCowan replaced him. The substitute sent over a promising cross following a short free kick but Ryan Sweeney headed over.
Dundee continued to work hard harrying the home defence and creating danger. A fast attack down the right ended with Cammy Kerr’s hard low cross being deflected past the near post.
Raith had two penalty appeals early in the second half. Neither looked totally convincing from the stand and the referee, in a far better position, was unimpressed.
Rovers put the Dee under some severe pressure early in the second half, but could not open the defence up to create clear shooting chances. Aidan Connolly shot over from 15 yards and Jamie Gullan was inches away from reaching Connolly’s low ball across goal.
Shaun Byrne limped off early in the second half and Paul McGowan came off the bench, bringing his valuable experience to bear in the midfield.
Around the hour mark both teams had big escapes. Dundee broke quickly down the left. Mulligan cut inside and was denied by MacDonald’s fine save. The ball broke to Zak Rudden and his shot struck the post and flew wide.
A minute later Sharp failed to control a backpass. Ethan Ross nipped in but somehow sent his shot past the post.
The game was frantic and end to end with neither side able to control the midfield. A goal could have come at either end. For the most part, however, Dundee were able to deal with Rovers’ energetic attacking.
A quick Dundee break almost brought the decisive second goal. Paul McMullan set up Luke McCowan, but MacDonald saved with his feet.
After 82 minutes the Dee made a double substitution. Zach Robinson came on for Zak Rudden, who had worked tirelessly up front. Lee Ashcroft made his first appearance since March, replacing Max Anderson to play in a defensive midfield role.
Harry Sharp was well protected by a defence that continued to stop Rovers getting clean shots on goal, but he had to pull off one final excellent save late in normal time. The ball broke to Gullan on the 18 yard line and his low shot flew threw a crowd of players only for Sharp to get down well and hold.
Dundee had plenty of the ball pushing for a second goal in the final minutes but every time Rovers got the chance they came flying at the Dee. There was more pressure to cope with, but no serious danger to the Dark Blues’ goal and the final whistle was met with delight by the exuberant travelling support.
It was not a particularly stylish win, but it was a terrific three points against very difficult opposition. After a poor start in which the Dee scored the only goal Raith were tireless and gave the Dark Blues an endless series of problems with their energy and determination to get the ball forward.
Last week the Dundee defence let themselves down but today the Dees kept their heads and their concentration to earn a very welcome clean sheet.
The Dark Blues could have made more of some promising moves that opened up good opportunities, and they were perhaps too open in midfield in the second half. But the supporters were in no mood to find fault when celebrating the win with the players and manager at the end. This was a very good result for Dundee. It was a significant test of character and the players passed it.
Raith Rovers 4-1-4-1
MacDonald
Millen (Coulson 89), O’Riordan, Nolan (Zanatta 82), Dick
Brown (c)
Connolly, Stanton (Connell 73), Ross, Ngwenya (Easton at half time)
Gullan
Unused subs: Thomson (gk), Mahady, Arnott, Mitchell, Masson.
Booked: Millen (tussle at corner), Brown (handball).
Dundee FC 4-2-3-1
Sharp
Kerr, Sweeney (c), French, Marshall
Byrne (McGowan 56), Anderson (Ashcroft 82)
Mulligan, McMullan, Jakubiak (McCowan 37)
Rudden (Robinson 82)
Unused subs: Legzdins (gk), McGinn, Cameron, Strachan, Fisher.
Goal: Mulligan (13).
Booked: McCowan (dissent), Byrne (foul on Easton), French (foul on MacDonald), Sweeney (foul on Gullan).
Attendance: 3,222.
Referee: Chris Graham. Assistants: Jonathan Bell, Barry Reid.
Report: James Christie.
