The Dark Blues claimed a vital three points with a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at freezing Dens Park this evening. Killie took the lead against the run of play late in the first half but Dundee took charge after half time to claim a deserved win. Ash Hay’s header brought a well worked equaliser and Charlie Reilly’s winner was a beautiful finish at the end of a fine move. For both players it was their first goal for the club as the Dee moved six points clear of the relegation places.
The only change to the Dee’s starting eleven after Saturday’s win over Falkirk was Charlie Reilly being given his first start as he came in for the injured Cameron Congreve.
The Dark Blues were on the attack from the beginning and should have taken the lead from any one of a series of promising attacks and good chances.
Reilly’s dangerous low cross from the left found Callum Jones whose goalbound shot was blocked by a desperate block by Lewis Mayo.
Kilmarnock had a good chance when the Dee defence got in a tangle and allowed Tyreece John-Jules space to shoot. His effort was blocked and Bruce Anderson fired over the bar.
A long throw by Ryan Astley broke to Reilly, but he slashed the chance high and wide.
Tony Yogane sent over a cross that triggered a penalty box scramble that ended with Ethan Hamilton’s shot being deflected past the post.
In the 38th minute, with Dundee comfortably in control and looking much the more dangerous side, Kilmarnock took the lead. It was an avoidable goal that came out of nothing. A free kick launched from inside the Killie half looked harmless, but Luke Graham missed it. Greg KILTIE took full advantage of the gift and ran through to clip the ball past Jon McCracken.
Dundee almost equalised immediately. Billy Koumetio met Yan Dhanda’s corner with a powerful header but Anderson cleared off the goal line with the keeper beaten.
The second half continued in the same vein. Dhanda’s shot from 25 yards was strong and accurate, but Tobi Aluwayemi did well to tip it round the post. Again from Dhanda’s corner Koumetio almost scored, but his header was scrambled off the line yet again.
The Dark Blues continued to attack dangerously. Finally, after 57 minutes Dundee got the goal they deserved, and it was a neatly executed score.
Jones held the ball up on the left wing allowing Yogane to flight a cross beyond the far post. Reilly sent a perfect header back across goal for Ash HAY to head in the equaliser from close range.
In of Killie’s few dangerous attacks it fleetingly looked like Kiltie might get clear into the penalty area, but Drey Wright stepped in to shepherd the ball back to McCracken.
Dundee were in control, moving and passing well, and constantly threatening to take the lead. Astley shot across goal and narrowly wide after Hay allowed the ball to run through to him.
The winning goal came in the 72nd minute and it was a delight to watch. Yogane made a fine pass infield from the halfway line to find Dhanda in space. The playmaker sent a quick pass through the Killie defence for Hay whose shot was blocked. Charlie REILLY followed up, took a touch, and curled a lovely finish inside the far post from 12 yards.
That was Reilly’s last touch and he was replaced by Emile Acquah, with Hay moving to the right wing.
Acquah passed up a good chance when the Killie defence got in a tangle and allowed Hay to cross. Acquah was clear in front of goal but his header was weak and straight to the keeper.
Kilmarnock didn’t mount a serious fightback until added time when they forced three corners, but the Dee defence coped well. There was a scare when Marley Watkins had a chance from Dom Thompson’s low cross, but the substitute didn’t get enough power in his effort and McCracken saved comfortably.
Dundee held on to take a well deserved win, their second in succession. It’s been widely reported that the Dark Blues had not won two successive league games since March 2024. It’s a relief to get that monkey off the back, but it was much more important to take three points that opens up a gap to the relegation places.
Dundee were the better team tonight, and the midfield was crucial. Yan Dhanda, Ethan Hamilton, and Callum Jones were all effective in their different ways. The Dark Blues were creative and penetrating in attack, with Tony Yogane a constant threat to the Killie defence. However, what was particularly pleasing was to see Ash Hay and Charlie Reilly claim their first goals for the Dark Blues.
We feared the worst when Kilmarnock took the lead with a soft goal in the first half. But the way the Dark Blues responded to that setback meant it was no surprise when they fought back to win the game. It was a vital win, and a great way to finish 2025.
Dundee 4-2-3-1
Jon McCracken
Ryan Astley, Billy Koumetio, Luke Graham, Drey Wright
Callum Jones, Ethan Hamilton (c)
Charlie Reilly (Emile Acquah 73), Yan Dhanda (Paul Digby 90+4), Tony Yogane (Imari Samuels 89)
Ash Hay
Unused substitutes: Kieran O’Hara (gk), Ethan Ingram, Aaron Donnelly, Plamen Galabov, Finlay Allan, Ethan Crombie.
Goals: Hay (57), Reilly (72).
Booked: Reilly (foul on John-Jules), Dhanda (confrontation with Jack Thomson).
Kilmarnock 4-1-4-1
Oluwayemi
James Brown (Watkins 78), Mayo, Ethan Brown, Dom Thompson
Watson (Polworth 73)
Kiltie (Brannan 66), Lyons, Lowery (Jack Thomson at half time), John-Jules
Anderson (Deas 73)
Unused subs: Beach (gk), Dackers, Stanger, Leslie.
Goal: Kiltie (38).
Booked: Lyons (foul on Reilly), Jack Thomson (confrontation with Dhanda), Dom Thompson (foul on Reilly), Brannan (foul on Hay).
Attendance: 5,039.
Referee: Nick Walsh. Assistants: Daniel McFarlane, Kevin Buchanan. VAR: Calum Scott. Assistant VAR: David McGeachie.
Report: James Christie.
