Dunfermline Athletic 0
Dundee 1
League (First Division)

Match Report

A Mickael Antoine-Curier goal gave Jocky Scott his first victory since returning to Dens Park and ended a run without a win since August.

Dundee took the lead with around twenty minutes left when a delightful through ball from Bryan Deasley sent Mickael one on one with Dunfermline keeper Paul Gallacher. The big striker who scored the first goal of Jocky's third reign in charge last weekend made no mistake flicking the ball into the net with the outside of his foot.

Jocky lined up for his first away match with the same formation he had used against Airdrie last weekend, 4-1-3-2. Eric Paton was the only of the injured players who was ready for action and he returned to the side in the right back position and was restored as captain.

That was the only change to to line up with Chris Pozniak moving into central midfield and Eddie Mearns dropping to the bench. For the second week in a row Craig McKeown was joined in central defence by 16 year old Kyle Benedictus and the two would turn out to be a rock for Dundee.

Dundee started the match by getting at Dunfermline and almost took the lead with the first attack of the game. Bryan Deasley ran in behind the defence on the right and as his cut back bobbled into the box David O'Brien arrived from midfield only to see his slotted shot blocked before it reached the goal.

The home side were pegged back but once they had their first chance about quarter of an hour into the game they took control. Eddie Malone twice headed clear as Dunfermline struggled to break through the excellently organised Dundee defence. From a corner Harper found Stephen Glass on the edge of the box and the ex Aberdeen man almost gave The Pars the lead, curling a shot off the bar with his sides first effort on goal.

Two minutes later Harper had another chance to deliver a corner and worked the same method, finding Glass on the edge of the box, the midfield this time volleying just wide.

Dunfermline were knocking the ball around well and when they worked it into Andy Kirk on the edge of the area Darren Williams tripped the striker. Kirk dusted himself down and blasted the free kick against the wall but it dropped the Calum Woods who took a touch before hitting a shot which came off Douglas' right hand post.

Both sides had one more chance each before the break. Dunfermline's came when Nicky Phinn cut back for Kirk who turned the ball past the post after reacting first in the box. Freddie Daquin broke away down the right for Dundee's chance but his cut back was to close to Paul Gallacher who held onto the wingers ball across.

The Pars started the second half on top again but it was a Dundee attack that gave the first talking point of the half. Daquin drilled a corner in and it appeared to come off a Dunfermline players hand but with players and supporters calling for a penalty the referee waved play on.

Eric Paton picked up a booking for brushing Alex Burke off the ball as Dunfermline broke and from the free kick Harper found Scott Wilson who headed well over. The home side's best chance came next and when Kirk received the ball just outside the box his shot looked to be heading for the bottom corner before Douglas at full stretch pushed it away.

Dunfermline were still on top and pushing forward when Bryan Deasley got the ball just inside their half with about twenty minutes to go. Deasley had time to look up before playing a perfectly weighted ball to his strike partner Curier in acres of space. The big striker charged towards goal and flicked the ball past Gallacher with the outside of his boot to give Dundee the lead.

After the goal Dundee seemed to be more comfortable and could have sealed the points but Eddie Malone flicked a header just wide from a comer.

Bob Davidson replaced Bryan Deasley who had put in an excellent shift up front. Dunfermline's first chance after the goal came when Calum Woods cut in from the right but his low shot was well wide.

They might of grabbed a point when Andy Kirk turned into the Dundee box but his shot across goal didn't trouble. Douglas. Dundee held out for all three points by keeping possesion and giving little away the the side that started the day in 3rd.

Chris Pozniak had a low shot well held by Gallacher but the best chance to double the lead was still to come.

Gallacher raced out of his box to clear and when the ball was quickly returned to Curier he burst towards goal in the same fashion he had for the goal. Gallacher had back peddled into his goal and as Curier went round him the big strikers heavy touch took him too far wide. He did manage to cut it back to Bob Davidson in the box but as the substitute went past the only Dunfermline defender back in the box he fired his shot wide of goal.

The final whistle was blown shortly after and the Dundee players celebrated a well earned three points largely thanks to good organisation and lots of effort.

Match report written by Tommy Young - Dundee Matchday Programme