Dundee 2
Greenock Morton 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

A Cammy Fraser goal from a twice-taken free kick in the second half gave Dundee the victory they so desperately needed against Morton yesterday, and a possible life-line to the Premier League next season.

That goal earned Dundee the two points which re-established their four-point lead over Partick Thistle-a lead which they had held until last Wednesday, when they were beaten by the same score by the Glasgow side.

But, as in that game, Dundee once again made it hard for themselves by losing an early goal, and had to come from behind to earn the win that may keep them in the top grade for another season.

It was never a great game, there was too much bad passing for that, but Dundee were prepared to fight on this occasion and it paid off.

Morton went into the lead after only seven minutes, with a goal by Jim Rooney in many respects similar to the one scored by Donald Park for Thistle on Wednesday.

Hayes crossed the ball high into the Dundee goalmouth where Jim Smith headed out straight to the Morton right half, who then hit a first-time shot into the left-hand corner of the net.

Dundee came right back from this reverse for Fraser to shoot high over the crossbar.

Morton might have grabbed a second goal just after this when McNeill cut the ball back into Cochrane's path, but the centre forward did not hit the ball hard enough to worry Geddes in the Dundee goal.

Dundee then took over the game, but their finishing was almost as bad as their passing until the half-hour mark when George McGeachie scored the equaliser with a cracking goal.

It all began with a Ferguson corner, conceded under pressure, which was cleared out to McGeachie, who belted the ball on the volley into Baines' right-hand corner leaving the Morton keeper stranded.

Dundee continued to pressure their opponents without looking too dangerous and seemed to have a bit of luck when a Busby shot for Morton appeared to hit Bobby Geddes on the heel before rebounding to safety.

McGeachie might have scored again for Dundee after a Ferguson shot had been blocked, but was off target this time. As the interval approached Morton centre-half McLaughlan found his name in the referee's book for a foul on McKimmie.

Dundee swarmed all over Morton after the break, again without showing any real danger.

It was Morton who came closest to scoring, with a half hit shot which bounced awkwardly enough to cause Geddes some bother.

With 54 minutes gone Morton sent on Andy Ritchie for Danny Docherty, and he was only four minutes on the park when Dundee went into the lead through Cammy Fraser.

Drew Busby fouled McKimmie just on the edge of the Morton penalty box, and Les Barr took the free kick and shot past.

A retake was ordered because the Morton line up was not the stipulated 10 yards away, and this time Ferguson slipped the ball sideways to Fraser, who lashed the ball at grass height into the net.

That goal put the Dundee tails up and apart from one or two delicate touches from Ritchie Morton took a back seat. The Greenock side made another substitution when they sent on Ring for Cochrane.

With 15 minutes to go Dundee made their first substitution when Brian Scrimgeour went on for McGeachie and followed this up five minutes later with Mackie taking over from Kidd.

Scrimgeour quickly made his presence felt with a shot de flected narrowly past and a header which hit the outside of the post, but, with only 3 minutes left, it was Dundee who were in luck when Bobby Geddes was right in line with a first timer by John McNeil.

In the final minute of the game Fraser sent Mackie through with a peach of a pass, but the former Celtic player was fouled when another goal for Dundee seemed imminent.

Match report written by The Courier