[tab:Match report]
Lewis Irons at Dens Park
Motherwell suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership, on an afternoon of controversy and disappointment.
Motherwell were incorrectly denied a clear goal when Dee stopper David Mitchell ran the ball across his line and were punished by a late Cammy Kerr strike in the first half, which swayed the momentum of the game and contributed to a poor second half showing.
Mark McGhee named two changes from the side that recorded a 4-1 win over Ross County last weekend. Lee Lucas missed out due to injury but was replaced by the returning skipper Keith Lasley, while youngster Jack McMillan was replaced by experienced full-back Stevie Hammell.
And it was a dominant first period for Motherwell after the game settled down. Louis Moult fancied his chances from range within the opening five minutes, but his ambitious effort was off target and didn’t trouble Mitchell.
Some neat passing allowed Jamie Kerr a good opportunity inside the Motherwell box after eight minutes, but from a tight angle he flashed his effort across goal.
It took over ten minutes for the game to settle somewhat, and the Steelmen enjoyed a good spell of possession deep in Dundee’s half. Cadden teed up Tait who swung a cross on to the head of Scott McDonald, who directed it on target but was halted by the linesman’s flag.
Mitchell did well to tip an in swinging Lionel Ainsworth corner on to the crossbar, and McGhee’s men didn’t quite get the luck they needed as it bounced too high for McManus who struck it on the half-volley over the bar.
The pressure was maintained and just minutes later Scott McDonald tried his luck from range, but he too struck too high and Mitchell remained fairly untested after the first 20 minutes.
There was a huge decision to be made for the officials in the 25th minute, as David Mitchell was caught off guard from a lofted Scott McDonald cross, which had him scrambling back towards his goal and as he gathered it, the keeper ran the ball over his own line sending the travelling ‘Well fans in to disarray as the linesman didn’t flag for a goal and play went on.
Lionel Ainsworth was denied a sure goal by an impressive block from … after cadden’s low, drilled cross landed at the wingers feet – but his first time effort crashed against the defender and it remained 0-0, when in truth it could have been two and most certainly should have at least been one for the Fir Parkers.
Completely against the run of play and in crushing fashion, Cammy Kerr gave Dundee the lead with just minutes left in the first half.
McGhee replaced Stevie Hammell with Jack McMillan at the break before withdrawing Ainsworth and Lasley for youngsters Thomas and MacLean.
The second half was largely scrappy, with neither side creating too many clear cut chances. The best opportunity fell Dundee’s way just before the 70th minute, when Holt had time to attempt a shot from inside the area, which flashed wide of Samson’s far post.
In a scrappy half with next to no chances created, Dundee grabbed their second of the match and all but sealed the three points. Wighton got in behind the Motherwell defence before cutting the ball back to Haber who slotted it past Samson from close range.
Almost immediately down the other end, Stephen McManus should have pulled one back as the ball broke to him inside the box after Mitchell fumbled, but the centre-back blazed it high over the bar.
David Mitchell was forced in to a double save in the 85th minute, as Craig Clay’s effort was plamed before McDonald’s header was eventually gathered by the Dundee stopper.
But it wasn’t to be for Motherwell, on an afternoon where a controversial decision denied the Fir Parkers the lead and ultimately changed the game.
[tab:As it happened]
Lewis Irons at Dens Park
FT: Dundee 2 – 0 Motherwell #DFCvMFC
5 minutes added on.
84′ | 2-0
Another good chance there as Clay’s shot is beaten away by Mitchell then McDonald heads straight at him
82′ | 2-0
Chance to nick a goal back there as Mitchell fumbled to McManus but he fires over the bar.
79′ | 2-0
Goal – Wighton gets in behind the defence and cuts it back to Haber who slots it home. 2-0 to Dundee.
67′ | 1-0
Dundee break away and a loose ball falls to Holt who fires just wide from the edge of the box.
58′ | 1-0
Double Motherwell sub, MacLean and Thomas on for Ainsworth and Lasley
56′ | 1-0
Gomis hobbles off and is replaced by Williams
54′ | 1-0
McManus booked for fouling Gomis on the edge of the box.
51′ | 1-0
Great save from Samson who palms Haber’s close-range header onto the bar!
50′ | 1-0
Wighton tests Samson with a good effort from 20 yards but the ‘keeper palms it over the bar.
Both sides are back out and Dundee get the second 45 underway…
Motherwell sub, McMillan on for Hammell
HT: Dundee 1 – 0 Motherwell #DFCvMFC
40′ | 1-0
Goal – Unbelievably Dundee take the lead with their first dangerous attack of the game. 1-0 to Dundee through Kerr.
33′ | 0-0
Chance! Cadden with a great low cross to Ainsworth whose shot from 12 yards is blocked by O’Dea!
24′ | 0-0
Motherwell spurred on by that injustice and McDonald goes close with a header from close range.
21′ | 0-0
Woah! Incredibly bad decision there as McDonald’s shot goes well into the net but linesman somehow doesn’t see it.
17′ | 0-0
McDonald drops the shoulder to beat Vincent but his effort on goal is way off. Still 0-0.
16′ | 0-0
Off the bar! Ainsworth’s cross causes Mitchell all sorts of problems and he has to palm it onto the woodwork!
8′ | 0-0
Close! Kerr overlaps and from a tight angle takes on the shot which fizzes inches past the far post.
6’ | 0-0
Moult advances but has little options and opts to go for a shot which is way off target.
Lasley gets the game underway. COYW!!!
Both teams emerge from the tunnel, Dundee in pink and dark blue, Motherwell in all white.
[tab:Reaction]
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:
Dundee Manager Paul Hartley:
[tab:Man-of-the-match]
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