Dundee 0
Livingston 1
League (First Division)

Match Report

Dave Mackay is a quiet, self effacing sort of guy, an honest pro who does a steady job without ever being spectacular. That's the way he's always been, during his time at Dens and since moving away from Dundee too, not the sort to kiss badges or claim on his arrival at a new club that "they are the only team I ever wanted to play for" so it's hard to imagine what brought volleys of abuse his way from his former fans as Dundee went down to Livingston.

Not that the stick bothered the former Dee, it merely inspired him to continue an electrics coring start to the league season which has seen him hit the target in each of Livingston's first four league matches, and how he enjoyed the latest one making sure he celebrated in front of the South Enclosure after Greg Strong's clearance had hit him and ended up in the net.

"It was my first time back since leaving Dens and I got a bit of stick. There were a couple of songs that rhymed with banker coming my way, but my fluke shut them up" he laughed post match.

It was fitting that this match was settled with a moment of luck rather than skill as the latter factor was conspicuous by its absence on a dreary day at Dens. Chances were at a premium and all too often passes went astray.

It was past the first quarter hour when the first moment of note arrived Gavin Swankie's first-time volley was held by the diving Livingston keeper Colin Stewart, but Dundee's top scorer quickly had another opportunity failing to connect with Ross Harris' corner when unmarked inside the six yard box.

Mackay wasn't the only former Dee in the visitors' line up, Steven Tweed was solid at the back for the Almondvale outfit and striker Steven Craig looked dangerous at times up front.

He had a trio of opportunities with the first being the best of the bunch, springing the offside trap he had a great shooting opportunity but fired his shot just over, there was a suspicion that Calum Reidford had got a fingertip to the effort but referee Kenny Clark awarded a goal-kick. His other two efforts were blocked by Greg Strong, the only other real opportunity of the first half fell to Graham Dorrans but the youngster's back post header was woefully off target and by half time it looked as if this match was going to stay scoreless.

The second half provided little more excitement but it did provide a goal, and it came in 74 minutes. A Livingston corner from the left was headed goalwards by James McPake and although. Reidford made a fine block the ball broke loose and when Greg Strong blasted it away he only succeeded in hitting Mackay's shin, the ball looping into the top comer of the net for the most fortuitous of winning goals.

Match report written by Dundee Matchday Programme