Dundee went down to a 3-1 defeat in Ayrshire as Kilmarnock ensured they will not be in the play-off this season. Tom Lowery gave Killie the lead midway through the second half. Charlie Reilly equalised for the Dark Blues, but two late goals from Joe Hugill, the first from the penalty spot, gave Kilmarnock the win they needed.
The Dark Blues made eight changes to the starting eleven after Saturday’s win that secured the club’s place in next season’s Premiership. Only Kieran O’Hara, Ryan Astley and Brad Halliday kept their places as a string of players were given game time after having to bide their time recently. Amongst the changes was Clark Robertson, making his first appearance since being injured in the Scottish Cup tie at Kilmarnock in January.
Dundee started well moving the ball smoothly through the midfield at times, without any final product. Moves broke down too often when the Dark Blues approached the penalty area.
Kilmarnock gradually stepped up their game and began to take control. Again, like Dundee they couldn’t find the right final ball. Tom Lowery had the game’s first serious shot on goal from 25 yards, but his fierce effort flew straight into Kieran O’Hara’s midriff.
In the 23rd minute Kilmarnock netted with a neat finish by Findlay Curtis after a quick build up from the back by Robbie Deas, Joe Hugill and Greg Kiltie who sent Curtis clear. However, with the ball already on the centre spot a VAR review ruled that Hugill had been offside when Deas passed to him.
In real time it looked a good goal without the benefit of technology and the setback seemed to affect Kilmarnock who lost their composure and attacking threat for most of the remainder of the first half.
In the last minute of the half they went close twice. Michael Schjønning-Larsen’s deep cross found Bruce Anderson at the far post but O’Hara did well to block his close range header. From the resulting corner Curtis headed wide when he could and probably should have done better.
The Dark Blues meanwhile built some neat attacks, but despite playing their way into dangerous positions they couldn’t create worthwhile chances.
Dundee started the second half with a promising attack. Good play by Fin Robertson gave Scott Wright space to send Ash Hay into the penalty area but Max Stryjek saved his angled shot.
The game became increasingly tense with Kilmarnock clearly feeling the stress. They stepped up their attacks but their play was nervy and scrappy. The home crowd stuck with them, however, and in the 62nd minute their energy and determination produced the break that gave them the lead. Kiltie’s cross broke kindly to Tom LOWERY who arrowed his shot into the top corner from 12 yards.
The Dark Blues sent on three substitutes, Joe Westley, Joe Bevan and Charlie Reilly for Clark Robertson, Scott Wright and Ash Hay with the formation changing to 4-4-2.
Kilmarnock continued to threaten and Curtis went close when he shot across goal and wide. But Dundee were now coming forward with greater conviction.
In the 77th minute Dundee produced a spectacular equaliser. Charlie Reilly hit a fine long pass wide to send Joe Bevan to the byline, REILLY kept going and took Bevan’s return pass before smashing a cross shot into the far top corner from the edge of the penalty area. The shot took a slight deflection en route but all the credit should go to Charlie.
Brad Halliday was then replaced by 16 year old Charley Oosenbrugh who came on to make his debut at right back.
Dundee had their best spell of the match in the next few minutes and looked fully capable of going on to win. However, in the 84th minute Oosenbrugh conceded a penalty when he caught Aaron Tshibola as they chased a ball bouncing away from goal. Joe HUGILL scored from the spot.
Dundee tried hard to force an equaliser and Ryan Astley went close with a glancing header that Stryjek clawed away for a corner.
In the final minute of added time the Dark Blues conceded a soft third goal. The defence failed to clear what should have been a harmless dropping ball and Rory McKenzie set up HUGILL to head into an open goal.
The final result was disappointing but there were some good performances tonight from players who have had to be patient in recent months. In particular the three central midfielders, Callum Jones, Joel Cotterill and Fin Robertson all played well.
Kilmarnock’s win means that they will not be in the play-off spot, and their determination to guarantee safety proved to be the decisive factor tonight. For the Dark Blues this game was more of a starting point for next season and there were signs of encouragement. That might well be more significant in the longer run than tonight’s result.
Kilmarnock 4-2-3-1
Stryjek
Schjønning-Larsen (Mayo 87), Stanger, Deas, Thompson
Tshibola, Lowery
Curtis, Kiltie (McKenzie 90+2), Anderson (Watkins 58 (Watson 87))
Hugill
Unused subs: Wright (gk), Williams, Magennis, Clescenco, Polworth.
Goals: Lowery (62), Hugill (85 pen, 90+4).
Booked: Anderson (foul on Jones), Deas (foul on Scott Wright), Mayo (foul on Samuels), Hugill (goal celebration).
Dundee FC 3-5-2
Kieran O’Hara
Brad Halliday (Charley Oosenbrugh 78), Ryan Astley (c), Clark Robertson (Joe Bevan 68), Imari Samuels
Callum Jones, Joel Cotterill (Tony Yogane 86), Fin Robertson
Ashley Hay (Joe Westley 68), Scott Wright (Charlie Reilly 68)
Unused substitutes: Harry Sharp (gk), Paul Digby, Lewis Montsma, Aldo Valenzuela.
Booked: Fin Robertson (foul on Schjønning-Larsen), Bevan (foul on Curtis), O’Hara (dissent).
Attendance: 5,839 (269 Dees).
Referee: Calum Scott. Assistants: David Roome, Alastair Taylor. VAR: Ryan Lee. Assistant
VAR: Duncan Williams.
Report: James Christie.
