Visitors Kilmarnock made a whirlwind start, hitting the bar twice in the first five minutes and scoring twice in the opening 15, but the Dark Blues came back strongly and, but for Killie keeper Connor Brennan’s heroics, might have got something from the game.
In the very first minute Chris Johnston cut in from the right and sent in a shot that crashed off Kyle Gourlay’s bar and the same player rattled the woodwork again four minutes later.
Dundee replied with a Josh Skelly shot that was beaten away by the keeper, but, on eight minutes the Rugby Park side took the lead. A free kick was parried by Gourlay but only as far as Scott McLean who stabbed the ball home from close range.
McLean then scored a superb second, driving the ball into the net from 20 yards out.
The Dark Blues were up against it at this stage but fought their way back into the game midway through the first half when ARTURO met Darryll Meggatt’s cross at the back post to net from close range.
The game was much more even now with play flowing from end to end. Sam Dryden had a shot blocked and, at the other end, Kerr Waddell cleared a shot off the line.
The keeper came to Killie’s rescue on 27 minutes when he brilliantly saved from Ryan Gemmell.
On the half hour mark Andy Black was replaced by Sean Gallacher, with Dryden moving into midfield.
Two headers almost brought Dundee the equaliser. Firstly, Calvin Colquhoun’s attempt went over but Waddell thought he’d scored with his attempt, only to see Brennan pull off a great save.
Just before the break Dundee had to introduce another sub, this time John Black for Dryden.
The Dark Blues seemed to have taken the sting out of Killie now, but the visitors were still dangerous on the break. Sub Lewis Morrison had a good chance but he shot wide.
Dundee’s best chance came when they were awarded a free kick. Unfortunately, from Skelly’s cross, Arturo, who had a free header, sent his effort over the bar.
Chances came and went at both ends with Ben Priest clearing off the line from Greg Taylor and Skelly and John Black both having efforts on goal, but the closest thing to another goal came when a Morrison shot was tipped onto the bar by Gourlay.
Brennan was a hero for Killie again 10 minutes from time when he plucked a goalbound Colquhoun header off the line.
In the dying seconds Skelly had another free kick opportunity but Brennan saved down low to his right.
FT: Dundee 1 Kilmarnock 2
Dundee: Gourlay, Dryden, (J Black 42), Priest, Waddell, Meggatt, A Black (Gallacher 32), Curran, Colquhoun, Gemmell, Skelly, Arturo. Subs not used: Beattie, Warwick.
Report: Jim Davie
