A late strike from Broque Watson knocked Dundee Colts out of the Irn Bru Cup. Kyle MacDonald had fired Motherwell Colts into the lead before an own goal from Jordan Armstrong brought Dundee level just before half time.
The opening period produced precious little in terms of clear cut chances. Jason Krones flicked David Turnbull’s free kick towards goal, but Sam Jackson was equal to his header.
A clearance deflected off George Newell into the path of Jake Hastie moments later, and it would prove to be a let off for the Dee as he fired harmlessly over from 20 yards.
It was the visitors that made the breakthrough after 25 minutes when Kyle MacDonald collected the ball at the edge of the box and rifled a strike past Jackson into the top corner.
A goal line clearance from Brian Rice kept out a header from Turnbull moments later as Motherwell went in search of a second.
MacDonald went close to doubling his and Motherwell’s tally six minutes before the break when the wing back slipped in down the right. Jackson did well to beat away the defender’s stinging strike.
Dundee had done little to trouble Rohan Ferguson in the Motherwell goal, but did equalise when Nathan Mere’s fizzing ball from the right was headed past Ferguson by Jordan Armstrong.
Motherwell introduced Broque Watson at half time, and he had the first chance of the second half when he dispossessed Callum Moore at the edge of the box but curled his effort harmlessly over.
The visitors continued to boss the possession, with Newell firing into the side netting on the hour mark. At the other end, Matty Henvey went close to connecting with a lofted pass from Lambert but was beaten to the ball by Ferguson.
Dundee were nearly undone on the break as Hastie latched onto a long ball but was denied by Jackson one-on-one after 66 minutes.
The Dee went close when Matty Henvey’s strike from the edge of the box deflected into the path of Lambert, who could only prod the ball straight at Ferguson from 10 yards.
Cedwyn Scott should have scored five minutes from time when he turned inside the box and curled a shot narrowly wide.
It would prove to be a costly miss for Dundee as Motherwell went on the offensive and eventually worked the ball into Watson, who fired past Jackson from 15 yards.
The Dee nearly struck back when Max Anderson played a neat one-two with Moore, but the substitute was unable to get a shot away from close range.
A late corner presented Dundee one last chance, and after sending in the initial delivery, the ball broke back for Moore, who saw Ferguson push his shot away, with Henvey unable to finish the rebound.
Dundee: Jackson, Rodger (Cunningham 88), Rice, Bradbury, Jefferies, Moore, Lambert, Meres (Anderson 73), Henvey, C. Scott, Dow
Subs Unused: Sharp, Fisher, Smith, McGrath
Goal: Armstrong (Own Goal) 43’
Motherwell: Ferguson, MacDonald, Livingston, Maguire, Krones, Armstrong, Rehman (Watson 45), Turnbull, Newell (J. Scott), Hastie, Brown
Subs Unused: Agyeman, Morrison, Semple, McLaughlin, Hussain
Goals: MacDonald 25’, Watson 86’
Report: Andrew Creegan
