Dundee 3
Motherwell 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Skipper Cammy Fraser returns to the Dundee side after suspension. Jimmy Murphy drops out. Motherwell make one change from the side which shocked Rangers, Alec Forsyth replacing lan McLeod in defence.

The pitch is marked with pink lines to beat the frost. O'Hara races back to whip the ball away from Mackie. It is not cleared and Fraser sends over a spot-on cross for Sinclair to head into the net, but from an offside position.

Fraser is in action again when a boob allows him to touch the ball past 'keeper Sproat only for it to roll past the post. MacDonald attempts a most unwise pass back which is intercepted by McClair. He touches the ball past Kelly and it bounces off the far post. Kelly recovers to save.

All that in three minutes.

Kelly lands with a mighty thud when he is fouled by Flavell as they jump for an O'Hara cross. Dundee win three corners on the trot as the big defenders clear anywhere and anyhow.

This is a tough encounter, but it has its moments of quality, such as when Sinclair glides the ball into the path of Fraser. The skipper's cross is not in the same class and is easily cleared.

'Well take the lead in 23 minutes with an extraordinary goal.

From a free kick 22 yards out, conceded by a MacDonald foul on McClair, Rafferty hits the ball low for Kelly's right-hand post, where EDVALDSSON, with his back to goal, beck-heels the ball into the net.

Dundee try to hit back, but are half a yard slower than the cock-a-hoop claret and amber side. A MacDonald header from a Mackie corner a foot out- side the near post is their most likely effort.

A Stephen cross from the left is headed back across goal by Ferguson, but a defender knocks the ball away from the waiting Sinclair.

Dundee are twice within inches of an equaliser, Sproat just manages to knock away a try by Glennie and is back on his line to push a shot by Ferguson over.

From a lob by Bell, Sinclair gets a free header. Again the 'keeper puts the ball over.

He does the same thing again when a Mackie cross looks like going in.

Half-time - Dundee 0, Motherwell 1.

Reflections-Dundee are playing nervously, particularly in and around the Motherwell penalty area. The brilliant agility of Sproat has denied them.

Dundee have McKimmienon for Scrimgeour. The new man does well to deprive dangermen Harrow and McClair of good openings.

Motherwell are calling the tune with the wind and slope in their favour.

There's a chance for Dundee when a Ferguson pass finds Mackie, whose far post cross is headed weakly past by Sinclair.

Dundee are beginning to build their dangerously moves now more and equalise in 51 minutes despite the fact Motherwell have ten men in defence.

The move is down the right and when Fraser's cross goes over FERGUSON jumps at the far post to give Sproat no chance.

On the hour, Dundee go in front with another far post header. This time the cross is from Sinclair and the finishing touch is supplied by STEPHEN.

Another "score" is disallowed a couple of minutes

Match report written by The Sporting Post