Dundee 3
Stirling Albion 1
League (First Division)

Match Report

Manager Alex Rae began his touchline ban by watching his side record a 3-1 victory over basement club Stirling in harsh weather conditions at Dens Park.

Those present endured a dire first half which created little in the way of goal-scoring opportunities before two home grown talents secured the points in a ten minute second half rout of Allan Moore's men.

The opening spell saw both teams struggle to get a foothold in the game with both teams adapting to the weather conditions. With eight minutes gone Paul McHale chipped the ball forward for Gavin Swankie to latch onto but the pass carried too much weight and the winger was unable to connect with the pass.

Jan Zemlik then looked to be hauled down in the area but referee Eddie Smith waved play on while David Worrell also took a tumble in the area after a through ball from Kevin McDonald, but again Smith was unwilling to point to the spot.

Stirling lacked any attacking prowess and rarely threatened Samson's goal, but Stuart Devin's corner was headed on by Craig Reid, with the defender's free header going wide.

Both sides made first half substitutions with Paul Hay replacing Laurie Ellis and Jan Zemlik making way for Derek Lyle.

Before the half time whistle was blown both sides had the chance to go into the break with the advantage. Jani Sturm's cross into the area was headed defensively away from goal by Swankie instead of attacking Myles Hogarth's goal while David McKenna ran clean through on Samson with only a last ditch well-timed tackle from Milan Palenik keeping the scores level.

As has already been proven this season a half-time team talk can do the world of good, and Alex Rae's words of wisdom paid off eleven minutes into the second half as Dundee took a deserved lead. Gavin Swankie slipped the ball across the six yard box after drawing the keeper from his line, leaving Robertson the simplest of tasks to slot the ball home into an empty net.

Kevin McDonald then kept up his scoring run as he added to Scott Robertson's opener. Gavin Swankie again proved provider as he broke with the ball from a Stirling attack. His pass allowed Kevin McDonald to control the ball with his first touch, and send the ball beyond keeper Hogarth with his second, from nearly thirty yards, for his second goal in as many games.

Stirling's misery was complete in the 66th minute as Derek Lyle got the goal his play duly deserved. The former Stirling forward was hauled down on the right wing. From there Paul McHale's resultant quick free kick looked to be heading safely into the arms of the Binos goalkeeper but intervention of Lyle who got to the ball first and slotted it past the helpless Hogarth.

Dundee could have added to their tally with Paul McHale's shot from 25 yards looking to be headed for the top corner but Hogarth was equal to the shot with a diving save plucking the ball from the air.

In the 89th minute Craig Samson was denied his third clean sheet in as many games as Steven Bell's shot from twenty yards proved to be mere consolation for the visitors.

However that wasn't to be the end of the action as Stirling hit the post from a free kick sent through space in the Dundee wall.

Match report written by Joanna Topping - Official Dundee website