Defeat at Dens Park brought to an end a four-match unbeaten run for Ian Murray’s side.
Zach Robinson’s double ensured that Dundee leapfrogged Raith Rovers to go third in the Scottish Championship.
Going back slightly further, it is Raith’s third defeat in 10 in all competitions – a run including six wins.
Rovers still sit in a decent league position and have the chance to bounce back next weekend with a home tie.
Though it comes against another direct competitor in Queen’s Park who now sit between Dundee and Raith in the table.
Courier Sport looks at some talking points from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat.
Conceded goals
It may be scant consolation – a goal is a goal and a defeat is a defeat regardless of the method – but the fact is Raith don’t concede many goals from open play.
Zach Robinson’s double came via the spot and via a corner.
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Raith have the second best defensive record in the division to Morton.
Ian Murray highlighted a few weeks ago that his side were conceding too many goals from set-pieces but few from open play.
In their last nine, including Saturday, Rovers have conceded five goals in all competitions: two from penalties and two from corners.
The other is the only one from open play: Jean-Pierre Tiéhi’s equaliser for Hamilton.
Tiéhi’s goal:
Of course it doesn’t matter how you concede if you are not finishing your chances at the other end.
Dundee subs
Gary Bowyer was forced into two first-half changes in midfield.
Joe Grayson was replaced after treatment by Shaun Byrne whose introduction drew a roar from the home support.
Whether the game would have eventually swung in favour of Dundee, we’ll never know, but Bowyer’s side took control when he came on.
Rovers had dominated up to that point.
Shortly after Ben Williamson, who spent time on loan at Stark’s Park last season, came on after Max Anderson took a nasty head knock.
It wasn’t a disastrous performance but it was a long way off the standards that have been set recently – and they didn’t convert while on top.
Handball
Thankfully we don’t have VAR polluting the lower leagues, a welcome distraction from white noise emanating from the Premiership every week now.
Assisted referees or not, the decision to award Dundee a penalty is one of those that is causing debate around grounds and on microphones across the country.
There is certainly no arguing that it is harsh to see a player penalised for an unintentional act – justified or not, it was a crucial moment in the game.
As alluded to by the Rovers manager, Brown turns away and has his arms close to his body – and it is natural to flinch.
Brown’s handball:
The decision is not the reason Raith lost – Dundee fully deserved the two-goal victory for their second-half showing.
Raith were soundly beaten but who knows how the match would have panned out had it remained 0-0 a little longer.
The decision certainly falls into the ‘some go for you, some don’t’ category.
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