By Blair McNally
Dundee reignited their season as they bounced off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win over Aberdeen to extend the Dons’ lengthy run of games without a win to ten.
Goals from Leigh Griffiths and Luke McCowan ensured James McPake would leave Dens Park the happier of the two under pressure managers as Cristian Ramirez’s consolation was not enough for Glass.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The home team started the brighter of the pair as Gary Woods was called into action with just seconds on the clock. Shaun Byrne stinging the hands of the Aberdeen number one from 25 yards.
After a slow start, Stephen Glass’ Dons grew into the match, coming narrowly close to opening the scoring on a number of occasions.
The pick of the bunch coming from Johnny Hayes who unleashed a trademark strike, whizzing inches from the top left corner much to the delight of the scrambling Dundee goalkeeper.
Just four minutes after halftime, the breakthrough came the way of the home side.
Beating the offside trap, Leigh Griffiths found himself through on goal from a long ball. Using his experience to stay composed, he calmly tucked the ball under Woods to open the scoring.
In the 62nd minute, Dees fans were in dreamland as their lead was doubled. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, Luke McCowan curled expertly, low into the left bottom corner, giving Woods no chance.
However, the two-goal lead was short-lived as Aberdeen were back in the game just five minutes later.
Jack Mackenzie’s inch-perfect cross across the face of goal beat the stretching hand of Adam Legzdins leaving Cristian Ramirez the simple task of tapping into an empty net.
Five minutes from time, Dundee were dealt a huge blow as Shaun Byrne was stretchered off and taken to hospital with a serious knee injury, later confirmed by James McPake.
Soon after, The Dees job was made even harder as manager McPake was sent off in added time after being adjudged to have pushed MacKenzie to the ground in a touchline rammy.
Despite the late push, Dundee held on to their lead, climbing into 11th place, three points above Ross County. Stephen Glass exited the pitch via a police escort with many furious Aberdeen fans showing their frustration after the final whistle.
McPake’s men will look to add to their win and move further up the table as they head to the fortress that is Tynecastle, to face a Hearts team unbeaten in seven.
The Dons will look to make amends as they face the tough arrival of Hibernian at Pittodrie who come off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Dundee United.
Here are three things we learned from Dundee beating Aberdeen:
Back with a bang
Charlie Adam looked a level above his counterparts in the middle of the park, making the most difficult plays look a simple task with his levels of calmness and composure. Deservedly awarded the Man of the Match award in his first game since the defeat to Motherwell at the end of August, the former Liverpool star will be vital in helping Dundee stay up this season.
Glass bottle?
Today’s result means the Dons have now gone ten games without a win. Booed off the pitch with chants calling for Glass to go from the Aberdeen faithful, Glass looks to be under a great deal of pressure with odds rocketing tonight for his sacking this week.
Bottom no more
Tonight’s result is one of major significance for Dundee as they climb out of the automatic relegation zone ahead of Ross County. With the Dingwall side failing to show any real signs of change, tonight’s win should set the tone for the games ahead as the Dees look to take advantage of the misfortunes of their relegation rivals.
Dundee: Legzdins, Kerr, Marshall, Sweeney, McGhee, Bryne, Ashcroft, McCowan, McMullan, Adam, Griffiths
Substitutes: Sharp, Mullen, Elliot, Sheridan, Anderson, Cummings, Lamb
Aberdeen: Woods, Mackenzie, Gallagher, Bates, Ramsay, Brown, Ferguson, Ojo, Hayes, Hedges, Ramirez
Substitutes: Ritchie, Watkins, McGinn, Emmanuel-Thomas, McGeouch, Jenks, Samuels
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