Dundee 1
Motherwell 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Newspaper extract from The Courier.

A dramatic injury-time goal by substitute Colin McGlashan-his first-ever for the first team-saved Dundee's blushes at Dens Park last night and gave them their first home win in the last four outings.

And Archie Knox played a part in it. The game seemed certain to end in a goalless draw when the ball went out of play near the trainer's dug-out.

The Dundee manager leapt out of the box to head the ball to skipper Cammie Fraser. A quick throw-in, followed by an equally quick cross by Harris and McGlashan headed that sensational winner into the far corner of the net.

Dundee were seemingly headed for a draw but the McGlashan goal puts them two points ahead of St Johnstone with a game in hand and the pressure is now on the Perth side.

But it was a near thing and no one at Dens Park can be happy about the team having so much of the play and seldom looking like scoring.

Give Motherwell their due. They had to withstand tremendous pressure for 90% of the game and they had in keeper Sproat their outstanding player.

Dundee's whole game was over-ridden by anxiety when a bit of composure would have paid them better dividends, but it all came out well for them in the end with the McGlashan goal coming from nowhere to ease Dundee's relegation fears in a game watched by only 4190 fans.

Despite the reduction in admission money, there was a poor crowd at the start for this vital relegation match.

Motherwell moved into the attack from the kick-off, and Lyall wasn't all that far away with a curling shot from a free kick just outside the box.

It was feverish stuff from both teams-not surprisingly when you consider what was at stake.

With seven minutes gone Richardson wasn't far away with a 25-yarder, and, with a strong wind behind them, it was good tactics to shoot from well out.

Mackie had the ball in the net for Dundee in 12 minutes, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on the Motherwell keeper.

Dundee captain Cammy Fraser thought this was a bit unjust and, when he said so to the referee, was booked for his second game in succession for dissent.

Dundee continued to take the game to Motherwell, and Harris might have done better when he shot past from a Mackie header.

With 20 minutes gone, Fraser almost got the goal Dundee needed to settle them when he hit a shot on the half turn with his left foot, but it was inches wide of the far post.

Stephen followed this with another good effort at goal which Sproat failed to hold and the Motherwell defence were lucky to scramble the ball clear from a penalty box packed with players from both sides.

Motherwell were finding it difficult to get the ball into the Dundee half of the park, but, when they did, in 26 minutes, a header from Kennedy from a free kick on the left went too close for comfort.

In 32 minutes Sproat did well to get down to and hold a low shot from Kidd and the all- important first goal continued to elude the home side.

In 36 minutes Ray Stephen had to be assisted off the park. in obvious pain, after a tackle from Forbes. He was replaced by Colin McGlashan.

Fraser battled his way into the box in Dundee's next attack only to see his first shot at goal blocked by a defender. When the rebound came back to him Sproat saved his lob from inside the far post.

Just on the interval, McGlashan found himself seven yards from goal when the ball broke to him from a McInally cross. His shot hit the near post and run along the goal line but stayed out to leave Dundee at the break with nothing to show for their incessant pressure.

Dundee resumed where they left off on the offensive. After five minutes of the second half Motherwell sent on McFadden for Harrow and three minutes later a dipping cross from McInally, having another fine game for Dundee, had Sproat in difficulties.

Motherwell sub McFadden showed a fair bit of pace when he outran two Dundee defenders from a Gahagan pass to get his shot in but his elevation was well out.

Cammy Fraser was here there and everywhere trying to inspire his team-mates but a little bit of composure from them might have brought better dividends.

Sproat had another good save from a McGlashan free and the keeper did well again to snatch the ball off Mackie's foot as the winger burst through on a great pass from McKinlay.

It was all Dundee again but, in occasional flashes, Motherwell looked dangerous. McFadden showed he had the right idea when he hit another long-ranger at the Dundee goal but again his elevation was out.

With 20 minutes to go, Motherwell left-back Kenny Black was stretchered off the field with what looked like a bad leg injury and replaced by Dorran.

The visitors were more on the attack now than at any time in the game but when McGlashan was brought down outside the box with 11 minutes to go, that man Sproat had another good save from Fraser's free.

A minute later lan MacDonald came on for Glennie, who had played throughout with his right leg strapped up.

No sooner was he on than McFadden broke away again for Motherwell, again got a shot in and again his elevation was well out.

Time was running out for Dundee and they knew it. If anything they became more anxious and with five minutes to go Harris just failed to connect with a Richardson free from the left bang in front of goal.

The same player was wide with another effort from quite a good position and a draw seemed certain when, in injury time, Archie Knox ran out of the dug-out to head the ball to Fraser to allow Dundee to take a quick throw-in.

From it came the all-import- ant goal which could mean Premier League football for them next season, McGlashan running in to head home a Harris cross.