Dundee secured another priceless victory on the road with this narrow win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The Dark Blues left Ayrshire with three points in the bag courtesy of a second-half Marcus Haber goal to make it two wins out of two for new interim boss Neil McCann.
The manager made two changes from the side that beat Motherwell 3-2 last week in what was his first game in charge with Cammy Kerr and Faissal El Bakhtaoui coming in for Nick Ross and Craig Wighton who dropped to the bench.
Kerr occupied his familiar right-back berth with Tom Hateley moving into midfield and El Bakhtaoui wide left.
The first chance of the game fell to Killie with on-loan Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff trying his luck with a long-range effort in the fourth minute but Dundee keeper Scott Bain dived to his right to make a comfortable save.
The Dark Blues settled in well to the game after that scare and carved out a superb opening in the 20th minute. El Bakhtaoui hit a great cross ball to Mark O’Hara on the right with the former Killie man squaring to Haber 12 yards out but his shot was well saved by home keeper Freddie Woodman.
Dundee had the ball in the net shortly after courtesy of a Kevin Gomis header but his effort was ruled out for offside.
There was then a hold-up to play as the far side assistant referee was sick at the side of the park.
Dundee could and probably should have opened the scoring in the 35th minute. El Bakhtaoui produced some great trickery down the right before presenting the ball on a plate for Haber but the big Canadian directed his header wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
McCann’s men continued to look the more likely to score and Woodman had to dive low to his left to keep out a 25-yard free-kick from Hateley.
Dundee had a big shout for a penalty in the 49th minute when Darren O’Dea tumbled in the Killie box but referee Craig Thomson waved away appeals.
The Dark Blues then had a let off when Bain attempted to clear but instead hit home sub Greg Kiltie’s in the face with the ball which flew back past his post.
However, it was Dundee who finally took the lead in the 55th minute to the absolute delight of the large travelling support. Paul McGowan dug out a telling cross from the left with Haber this time making absolutely no mistake with a close-range header past the helpless Woodman.
They had another great chance to put the game to bed in the 63rd minute when Hateley sent an inviting cross into the box with O’Hara’s diving header flying just wide.
Killie were still very much in the game and Bain produced an outstanding reaction save in the 79th minute from a point-blank Kiltie header to keep his side in front.
Bain came to the rescue again when he dived low to his right to keep out a Kris Boyd snap shot.
However, Dundee held on to deservedly take all three points.
For full reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
