Neil McGregor says Dundee’s joy at finally securing their first home win of the season on Saturday was also tinged with sadness.
Ryan Conroy’s late scrappy winner against Raith finally broke the Dark Blues’ Dens Park hoodoo but the victory came at a terrible cost for on-loan Hearts player Calum Elliot.
The striker, who has been out since knee surgery in March, lasted less than 30 seconds before he crumpled under a challenge from Willie Dyer.
After treatment, he briefly came back on to the park but it was clear he could not continue and he was stretchered off to the dressing-room.
Elliot could now be facing another lengthy spell out and McGregor said: “Despite the win, it was a wee bit subdued in the dressing-room at the end because of what happened to Calum.
“He has just been with us for a couple of days and it was horrible for him to only play a few seconds then go off in that sort of way. It looks like the same knee he has had the problem with and it has taken the shine off the win.”
Elliot’s injury cast a long shadow over a dismal first half on Saturday which also saw Rhys Weston and Raith’s Laurie Ellis hobble off with injuries.
Indeed, the opening 45 was so dire and lacking in excitement, it was little wonder that two young lads sitting just in front of the press area spent the entire half playing their handheld computer games rather than watch what wasn’t happening on the park.
Dundee were much better as the second 45 began, although Raith could and should have scored in the 73rd minute when Iain Williamson found himself one-on-one with Rab Douglas.
The keeper kept his nerve to deny the Rovers man and Dundee pressed for the winner which duly came with just eight minutes left as Conroy bundled the ball home at the second attempt.
The victory lifted Dundee off the bottom of the table into seventh place and McGregor admitted the players were delighted and relieved to secure that precious first home win of the season. The big centre-half also thanked the supporters for sticking with them in adversity.
He said: “We are very happy with the result and to get the monkey off our backs. It was one of those games where they made things difficult for us. We obviously like to try and get the ball down and pass it but they stopped us doing that.
“Getting the first win at home means so much to us. Performance-wise it wasn’t the greatest but we have played better and come away with nothing, so we can’t help being pleased.
“It is also brilliant for the fans who have continued to come to Dens in their thousands and given us superb support.”
Dundee boss Barry Smith lamented the loss of Elliot but also paid tribute to the home support.
He said: “We’re so disappointed for Calum. I really feel for him as we thought he could be a great acquisition for us over the month.
“But the positive thing is obviously the result and getting a home win which has been a long time coming. The fans stood by us at home when results haven’t been great so it’s nice to send them away happy.”
For Raith, Saturday was a third successive defeat. Despite that, Williamson says Rovers are confident they can end their dismal run.
He said: “That was a sore one to take as I didn’t think there was a lot between the two sides. I had a great chance and I probably should have scored. Rab made quite a good save but the ball ricocheted off their defender and straight back into his hands.
“Maybe if that ricochet had gone in for us we could have been heading home with three points. But that seems to be the story for us just now and we will have to work our way out of it and create our own luck.
“The boys believe we can do that and it’s our aim from here.”
Raith boss John McGlynn said: “I felt we were good for a point as we put in a lot of effort but we just aren’t getting the wee breaks at the moment.”