Dundee manager Paul Hartley was pleased with his team’s performance despite seeing them lose 1-0 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the televised Ladbrokes Premiership clash.
A solitary Adam Rooney goal kept Aberdeen within touching distance of leaders Celtic as the Dons took the spoils from a scrappy clash.
The Dons looked the more likely winners even from the opening moments of the game and by the interval centre-back Ash Taylor could have had a hat-trick.
He and Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain seemed to be having their own personal duel, with the former Dons shot-stopper twice denying Taylor in a matter of seconds before even 10 minutes had passed.
But the hosts took the lead after 14 minutes when Johnny Hayes was perhaps fortuitous to get the break of the ball off Kevin Holt as he advanced down the right flank, but he took full advantage, angling a low ball across goal for Rooney to slide in and score.
Dundee had their chances to earn a point, with Taylor’s poor back header nearly setting up Gary Harkins and, in the final minute, Harkins firing wide after being set up by Rory Loy.
Hartley said: “I felt the first half was end-to-end, and our goalkeeper was in inspired form with three or four great saves, and then we had chances of our own to score.
“It was a good game of football despite the conditions of the pitch, but then in the second half it got a bit scrappy and I think Aberdeen played the conditions better than we did.
“Overall, our players’ attitude was brilliant. They were playing a against a good team and I’m pleased with how they played.”
The Dark Blues boss saw Kevin Holt go off shortly after half-time with a cut to his head following a collision with Shay Logan, but Hartley was confident the defender would be fit for Tuesday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk.
“He’s alright. He’s a got a cut on his ear and he’s a little bit dazed. There was no malice in the challenge, and I think he’ll be okay for Tuesday.”
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes was delighted to see his side close to within three points of Celtic.
McInnes, whose side have now gone 10 games unbeaten in the league, said: “It was a good performance tonight, and we’re one of the few teams capable of going on the run that we’re currently on.
“The toughest game for any team in the league is coming up on us now. The last game we lost was at Celtic Park and we’ve nearly gone a full round of games before we come back to facing them.
“It’s an opportunity for us to win that game. We’re in good form, and we’ve beaten them before with 10 men. We should feel confident. As good as Celtic are, it’s a real opportunity and it’s a game we should look forward to.”