Dundee 1
Falkirk 0
League (First Division)

Match Report

The win over Falkirk gave Dundee their 25th point since they went into administration and Barry Smith took over and is the perfect response to the Scottish Football League. Many people assumed that the 25-point penalty would mean almost inevitable relegation for the Dark Blues, but the bottom half of the table is already looking nervously at the Dens Express charging up from the basement.

Dundee certainly started this match like a train, racing into a well deserved early lead. They couldn't sustain the momentum, but were well worth the points in the end.

Before the 8th minute opener Craig McKeown had gone close with a header cleared off the line, and Bairns' keeper Clejnik had brilliantly saved Gary Harkins' deflected free kick.

The Dee kept tearing at the visitors and got their reward when Nicky Riley released Gary Irvine down the right. The full-back crossed first time beyond the far post where Craig Forsyth rose to head cleverly back over Olejnik and into the net.

Another great passing move ended with Leigh Griffiths wriggling into space and Olejnik tipping his shot over. Dundee were by far the better side at this stage as Falkirk struggled to hold Dundee and offered little threat themselves.

The Bairns nearly grabbed a goal from nothing midway through the half when O'Brien's long ball allowed Stewart to beat the offside trap. He reached the ball just before Robert Douglas and lobbed the keeper. The ball just hung up in the air allowing Weston plenty of time to clear, but Falkirk appealed loudly for a penalty, claiming that Douglas had fouled Stewart after the lob.

Suddenly Falkirk were in the match and McLean came close when his header from a free kick was pushed round the post by Douglas.

Dundee should have grabbed a crucial second goal just before half time. Khalis's slip allowed Griffiths to run clear and his chip beat Olejnik but bounced off the top of the bar.

Apart from his goal Craig Forsyth had a marvellous first half in which he combined well with his teammates and gave right back Mitchell a very uncomfortable afternoon. It was no surprise when Steven Pressley replaced both Mitchell and the right midfielder Murdoch at half time in an attempt to get to grips with Forsyth.

In the second half Dundee exasperated their fans with the number of moves that didn't quite come off. Time and again the final pass wasn't quite right, or a wrong decision was made, or a player was fouled before the Dee could open up the defence. The Dark Blues always seemed on the verge of scoring a memorable goal, but frustratingly it never happened.

Dundee's frustrations were nothing compared to Falkirk who continued to squander possession with extravagant attempted passes. Just after the hour it nearly came off when Stewart ran clear. Douglas blocked well but the ball spun up into the air, looking like an easy chance for Finnigan to nod into the open goal. However, Gary Irvine saved the day with a herculean run and lunging header. His head took the brunt of Finnigan's challenge. He was probably oblivious to the Bobby Cox Stand rising to cheer him as he lay prostrate in the goalmouth.

Fortunately he was able to continue and when the comer came over Falkirk found themselves down to 10 men when Finnigan stupidly punched the ball into the net. He'd been booked in the first half for a foul on Riley, and the red card was inevitable.

A man down, Falkirk at last started to try and keep possession and looked much the better for it. However, they couldn't create chances and the Dundee defence were as solid as ever.

Dundee looked the more dangerous side when they hit the overstretched Bairns on the break. Griffiths kept dropping deep to find space and he was a constant threat. Tom Brighton put in a fantastic amount of effort and linked well with Griffiths.

Gary Harkins needed lengthy treatment after a foul midway through the half and he looked uncomfortable afterwards. Douglas also seemed to be carrying an injury, especially towards the end Craig McKeown took his goal kicks all through the match.

The final whistle caught the crowd by surprise. The ball was out of play when the referee ended the match, and it took the supporters a few seconds to catch up. When they did, yet again the cheers rang round the stadium as Dundee's great run continued.

Leigh Griffith's was the last man off. He went on an emotional solo tour of the ground, and got a great send off from his fans as he prepared for a new life at Wolves.

Once again the marvellous team spirit and determination that has been pulling Dundee through these troubled times was on display at Dens Park, Dundee won the points today because they were the better team and wanted the victory more. Falkirk have good players, but they couldn't match Dundee as a team.

The sponsors' Man of the Match was Gary Irvine, who probably had his best game since arriving at Dens. His defending was sound. He helped make the winning goal. His passing and movement coming forward were crisp and inventive. But the highlight was the match-winning moment when he took a battering to save a goal.

Match report written by James Christie - Official Dundee website