By Ian Roache

THE AIR may have turned dark blue at Dens in the lead up to the game at Dunfermline, but those choice words are what helped Dundee to a crucial 1-0 victory.

They are still bang in contention for promotion to the SPL, sitting six points behind leaders with a game in hand against Partick Thistle a week tomorrow.

And stand-in central defender Eddie Malone, who once again performed solidly in a role that’s not his first choice, revealed how a no-holds-barred gathering helped their cause.

“The manager and all the players had a meeting towards the end of the week, a few home truths were told and we were all honest with each other,” said Malone.

“Basically we agreed that the last few weeks are going to be about rolling up our sleeves and getting on with it.

“The gaffer had a pop at a few of the lads, but if that is what is needed to get us over the line then so be it.

“What was said on Thursday definitely had an impact against Dunfermline because it fired us up and you could see that from our performance.

“This win was about character and guts.

“Everyone has a part to play. It’s not going to be easy to overhaul Hamilton because they have been out in front for a long time, but if we show the same fighting qualities we did out there then we have a good chance.”

On paper, a trip to East End Park was one of the trickiest fixtures left on Dundee’s schedule and they did struggle to make an impact in a scrappy first half which was just shaded by the hosts.

Maybe because of another verbal rocket from Rae, they upped their game markedly after the interval and were deserved winners in the end.

The goal hero was former Par Freddie Daquin, who fired a low shot across Paul Gallacher and the keeper could only touch it slightly on its way into the net via the far post.

It may have been Daquin’s name on the scoresheet but the piece of skill that created the counter came from midfielder Kevin McDonald, who dinked a delightful, defence-splitting pass into the Frenchman’s path.

“It took a bit of magic from Kevin and a good finish from Freddie to get us the three points but when you have someone with Kev’s talent in the squad it’s always possible to create something like that,” added Malone.

“His level of ability is frightening and when he puts passes like that through a defence it is no surprise to us because we see it every single day. He is up there with the best I have played with.”

That is one battle won by Dundee but the war with Hamilton rages on.

“It is a case of taking each game as it comes and performances will pretty much go out of the window,” said Malone.

“We need to grind out wins and make sure we keep on Hamilton’s heels.

“I don’t know how much attention they are paying to what we are doing but if they are looking they will see we came here and won so that proves we are not going to go away.

“They maybe thought we would chuck it after last week when we lost to them, but that was never going to happen. We will fight all the way.

“We have Hamilton on the final day at Dens and if it comes down to that—a battle over 90 minutes—then we will be ready and up for it.”

While all was well with the visitors on Saturday the same can’t be said for the Pars, whose season is petering out.

After a good opening spell they were gradually ground down by Dundee.

The second period was dominated by the Dark Blues and Dunfermline never really threatened Craig Samson’s goal.

That is not exactly what the paying punters want to see at East End Park.

Manager Jim McIntyre said, “I thought we had slightly the better of the first half without really looking like scoring.

“It was a pretty even match, but goals change games. It was a bad one defensively, from our point of view, and that gave Dundee a lift,” he added.

“We then tried to change it in order to get back into the game and we had a couple of chances. I would rather lose two or three nil and try to get back into the game than just accept defeat.”

Dundee boss Rae, who was without a host of his players through injury and suspension, praised his men for bouncing back after that recent defeat at New Douglas Park.

“It was a great way to respond after last week’s disappointment and it’s a credit to the boys who we asked to come in and do a job,” he said.

“We have had a wee bit of a go (at the players) in recent days but they responded well.”

Perhaps a swear box will be needed at Dens as the pressure mounts in the promotion race!