Dundee 2
Partick Thistle 1
League (Premier League)

Match Report

Nacho Novo pounced in the last minute to scramble home the goal which gave Dundee all three points after a match which proved more difficult than had appeared likely in the early stages.

Former Dens favourite James Grady was on the bench, but with Lee Wilkie and Barry Smith missing through long term injury not one of the players who were team mates from his final Dens season was included in the Dens line up. Brent Sancho started after his midweek exertions on international duty, but Jonay Hemandez wasn't included in the squad, Dougie Cameron again deputising. Neil Barrett was back in the starting eleven after missing the trip to Tynecastle through injury.

In beautiful sunshine Dundee started in top gear with Steven Milne racing onto Brent Sancho's lofted ball and lobbing a second minute opener over Jamie Langfield.

It was the kind of opening salvo which should have settled Dundee and initially that's what appeared to be happening, the Dark Blues having several chances to put them selves on easy street. Those including an awful miss by top scorer Novo who rounded Langfield and rolled the ball goalwards only to watch Grant Murray get back to clear off the line, just two minutes after Milne's opener.

The Dark Blues had another couple of good opportunities but failed to make Thistle pay for some indecisive defending. After spurning those chances, it was almost inevitable that Thistle would score with their first attack which was exactly what happened on the quarter hour as Thomson headed home Mitchell's cross Thereafter, Thistle strangled the quality out of the match and the sunshine disappeared with Dens lashed by heavy rain for the remainder of the contest.

Rowson fired a superb 30 yarder inches over on 36 minutes, and Speroni did well to tip Thomson's downward header round the post just before the interval. Steven Milne picked up a booking as half time approached for reacting to a Bonnes tackle.

James Grady came on just after the break to a great reception from all sides of the stadium and he fired in a shot on 50 minutes but straight at Speroni.

Five minutes later. Lovell jinked clear, leaving a couple of defenders on their backsides, but he mis-controlled as Langfield advanced and the former Dens catcher got down to gather.

Grady managed the difficult task of getting the home support to boo him a little later when he went down with ease. but at least there was a semblance of a challenge on that occasion, though twice later, Thistle players tumbled in comical manner and had the gall to appeal for penalties.

Midway through the second half, Jim Duffy threw on Steven Robb with goalscorer Milne making way for him and three minutes later, Lee Mair showed why he doesn't play up front as a comer arrived at his feet only to be despatched high into the Bobby Cox Stand.

With ten minutes to go, Sebastian Kneissl was introduced and almost made an instant impact, showing a neat touch to make space, only for his shot to be blocked.

The German's strength would be a factor in the winner however. The match looked to be heading for a share of the points until Murray downed Steven Robb wide on the left, with seconds to go. Garry Brady curled in the free kick and when substitute Sebastian Kneissl challenged Jamie Langfield, the ball broke to Novo who reacted quickly to poach the winner.

Nacho will have loved it, he's had plenty of abuse from Thistle fans since his days at Raith and has paid them back handsomely with goals in all three games against the Maryhill team this term.

In those games, Derek Whyte and Gerry Britton's men have undeniably been somewhat unlucky. They could easily have had at least a point from the previous two defeats, but Dundee just about deserved this one though, if only for the early dazzle and Nacho's predatory instincts when it mattered.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme