A Cammy Kerr strike sealed a sensational comeback victory for Dundee at Partick Thistle as they saw off the Jags 3-2.
That was after a Harry Milne double in the first half saw the home side in at half-time full of smiles at 2-0 up following a rotten run of recent form.
A triple change from Dark Blues boss Gary Bowyer at half-time did the business for his side as they roared back to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.
Back from illness last week, Zach Robinson was one of those half-time subs and the striker made it 2-1 with a header after 58 minutes before playing a part in the equaliser.
It was Ryan Sweeney, though, who made it 2-2 before Aaron Muirhead saw red.
With 14 minutes to go, Kerr came up with what could be a pivotal moment in Dundee’s season, sweeping in from the edge of the area.
Key moments
For much of the opening half it was an even contest with little quality in the areas that mattered.
It took 21 minutes for the first shot on target and it found the net as impressive full-back Harry Milne cut inside and saw his effort deflect into the goal from 18 yards.
By the time Milne had added his second on 36 minutes, Dundee’s sole effort on goal was an easy save for David Mitchell from a Jordan McGhee flick.
Thistle hadn’t exactly peppered the goal themselves but took their second opportunity as former Dee Danny Mullen headed down for Milne unmarked at the far post.
Half-time brought three changes from Dundee along with a change of system and they got themselves back in the contest through sub Robinson on 58 minutes.
His header under challenge from the Jags goalie found it’s way over the line to give the Dark Blues a lifeline.
And they took it 10 minutes later as Robinson again made a nuisance of himself before Sweeney forced the ball over the line from close-range.
In the aftermath, defender Aaron Muirhead was shown a second yellow card after leaving Cammy Kerr in a heap inside the net.
Kerr brushed himself down and grabbed what could be a huge victory for the Dark Blues, turning a Max Anderson cut-back into the net from 18 yards to cue jubilant celebrations in the away end.
Dundee’s star man: Zach Robinson
Illness forced him off against Queen’s Park and a lack of training since meant he started on the bench.
But, once more, the AFC Wimbledon loanee made the difference for the Dark Blues in the second half.
He grabbed his sixth goal of the season to kick things off in the first half before causing enough trouble to force the equaliser.
A key man for the Dark Blues.
Player ratings:
Lawlor 6, French 6, Ashcroft 6, Sweeney 7, Kerr 8, Grayson 6 (Williamson 90), McGhee 7, McMullan 7, Mulligan 5 (Rudden 46, 6), McCowan 5 (Anderson 46, 7), Osei 4 (Robinson 46, 8).
Subs not used: Legzdins, Jakubiak, Byrne, Sheridan, Cameron.
Manager under the microscope
By now, Dundee fans are used to changes to starting XIs under Gary Bowyer.
Once more he tweaked his outfit as four new faces came in. There was no sign of left-back Jordan Marshall with Cammy Kerr stepping across to cover.
Luke McCowan also returned, coming in for Lyall Cameron as Zak Rudden and Zach Robinson joined him on the bench.
Derick Osei made his first start for the club after grabbing the equaliser off the bench at Queen’s Park last time out.
In the lone striker role, though, he made little impact and was hooked at the break alongside McCowan and the booked Mulligan.
Bowyer changed from 4-2-3-1 to a 3-5-2 formation as Dundee chased the game second half.
That saw McGhee in the back three and Paul McMullan moved to a more central position.
A big change that paid off big time.
Man in the middle
Craig Napier had a quiet first half but bore the brunt of the home crowd’s ire in the second after letting Robinson’s goal stand and then sending off Aaron Muirhead.
Thistle expected a foul when Robinson challenged goalkeeper Mitchell in the air before the ball dropped into the net but none was coming.
Then came another big moment as Dundee drew level with Sweeney forcing the ball over the line before a battle in the net saw Kerr come off worse than Muirhead.
Already booked, Muirhead was shown a red and can have no complaints.
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