Motherwell kept their place at the top of the Scottish Premier League after coming from behind to beat Dundee at Dens Park.

Colin Nish put the home side ahead with a powerful header in the first half.

Michael Higdon levelled for Stuart McCall's men with 15 minutes left to play.

And Higdon struck again with just five minutes remaining to ensure the Steelmen remain one point clear at the summit.

The first opening came for the visitors. Some neat skill by Chris Humphrey created a crossing opportunity and Michael Higdon's knock-down fell to Keith Lasley, his effort blocked by Dees skipper Gary Irivine with the 'Well midfielder claiming for a penalty.

There were 12 minutes on the clock before the home side created a clear-cut chance.

Michael Higdon

Michael Higdon scored both Motherwell's goals.

Jim McAllister turned and fed to on-loan Celtic defender Lewis Toshney, who didn't get a clean connection and Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph was able to claw the ball away.

Randolph had no answer shortly after as the hosts went ahead. New signing Mark Kerr sprayed a lovely pass out wide to Ryan Conroy, he teed up John Baird and his cross was powered past the helpless 'Well keeper by Nish.

Dundee were in the ascendency. A long ball forward was touched on by Nish and Sean Hutchison had to be on his toes to prevent Conroy adding a second goal.

The Steelmen's main threat was from Humphrey down the right-hand side, however his ball in to the box couldn't find a claret and amber shirt .

Dundee continued to press without creating anymore clear cut chances. Indeed the next efforts on target came from McCall's men.

First, Higdon had a weak left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Shortly after, Tom Hateley tested Rab Douglas with a free-kick from a tight angle.

Motherwell should have been level shortly before half-time. Higdon turned Neil McGregor in the box but his right-footed effort rebounded off the base of the post.

The start of the second half was devoid of goal-mouth action. Goalscorer Nish had to leave the pitch after a clash of heads with Adam Cummins. Nish needed treatment for around five minutes before returning to the fray.

Barry Smith's side struggled to get any sort of foothold in the match after the break.

Their opponents, while enjoying plenty of possession, were struggling to find a way past Douglas in the Dundee goal.

After being under the cosh for the opening 20 minutes of the second half, it was the home side who created the best chance.

John Baird took the ball down inside the box and neatly flicked it into the path of the on-rushing Nish, his effort sliding just wide of the post.

Motherwell then drew level. Substitute Henrik Ojamaa got away down the right and his cross was turned home by Higdon at the second attempt.

John Baird was replaced by Mark Stewart as the home side looked to re-assert their dominance, with less than ten minutes to go Nish headed wide from a corner.

The game looked to be heading for a draw but, with five minutes to play, Higdon headed home his second goal of the day from a Hateley corner to keep the Steelmen top of the table.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Dundee

  • 01 Douglas
  • 02 Irvine
  • 03 Lockwood
  • 05 McGregor
  • 25 Toshney
  • 06 Davidson (Benedictus - 74' )
  • 11 Conroy
  • 28 Kerr (Boyle - 90' )
  • 10 Baird (Stewart - 79' )
  • 20 McAlister
  • 24 Nish

Substitutes

  • 36 Baird
  • 17 Benedictus
  • 26 Easton
  • 07 Riley
  • 15 Milne
  • 23 Boyle
  • 27 Stewart

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph
  • 03 Hammell
  • 05 Hutchinson
  • 19 Kerr
  • 30 Cummins (Daley - 73' )
  • 04 Law Booked
  • 06 Hateley
  • 07 Humphrey
  • 14 Lasley Booked
  • 09 Higdon
  • 11 Murphy (Ojamaa - 66' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Hollis
  • 15 Ramsden
  • 26 Francis-Angol
  • 17 Daley
  • 18 Carswell
  • 08 Ojamaa
  • 16 McHugh
Ref: Clancy
Att: 5,176

Match Stats

Shots

7 8

On target

3 5

Corners

4 10

Fouls

8 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:04 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +0:10

Ryan Conroy has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

90:00 +0:10 Booking

Booking Nicky Law receives a caution for dissent.

89:59 Booking

Booking Booking for Keith Lasley for unsporting behaviour.

89:49

Keith Lasley challenges Martin Boyle unfairly and gives away a free kick.

89:15 Substitution

Substitution Martin Boyle replaces Mark Kerr.

88:07

Corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley, James McAlister makes a clearance.

86:25

Keith Lasley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Conroy. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Ryan Conroy.

84:31

Assist on the goal came from Tom Hateley.

84:31 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Higdon - Dundee 1 - 2 Motherwell Michael Higdon grabs a headed goal from close in. Dundee 1-2 Motherwell.

84:22

Corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley from the right by-line,

82:58

Foul by Matthew Lockwood on Chris Humphrey, free kick awarded. Stevie Hammell delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance by Neil McGregor.

81:05

Inswinging corner taken by Ryan Conroy from the right by-line, Header by Colin Nish from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

79:07

The official flags Colin Nish offside. Indirect free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

78:15 Substitution

Substitution John Baird goes off and Mark Stewart comes on.

77:16

Mark Kerr takes a short corner.

74:00

Assist on the goal came from Henrik Ojamaa.

74:00 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Higdon - Dundee 1 - 1 Motherwell A goal is scored by Michael Higdon from close in low into the middle of the goal. Dundee 1-1 Motherwell.

73:46

The ball is sent over by Henrik Ojamaa,

73:07 Substitution

Substitution (Dundee) makes a substitution, with Kyle Benedictus coming on for Iain Davidson.

72:27 Substitution

Substitution Adam Cummins leaves the field to be replaced by Omar Daley.

71:47

Corner taken by Tom Hateley from the left by-line, Rab Douglas makes a save.

68:15

Stevie Hammell delivers the ball, comfortable save by Rab Douglas.

65:39 Substitution

Substitution Henrik Ojamaa on for Jamie Murphy.

65:08

Colin Nish has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

63:16

Mark Kerr challenges Tom Hateley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stevie Hammell.

61:42

Unfair challenge on Michael Higdon by Neil McGregor results in a free kick. Tom Hateley produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick.

59:53

The assistant referee signals for offside against Colin Nish. Shaun Hutchinson takes the indirect free kick.

56:45

Corner from the right by-line taken by Nicky Law, clearance made by Neil McGregor.

56:24

Centre by Nicky Law, Matthew Lockwood makes a clearance.

55:22

Michael Higdon challenges Iain Davidson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Rab Douglas takes the free kick.

53:12

Chris Humphrey sends in a cross, Neil McGregor makes a clearance.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +0:03 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

44:09

Shot from close range by Michael Higdon strikes the post.

42:24

The referee penalises Gary Irvine for handball. Free kick crossed right-footed by Tom Hateley, save made by Rab Douglas.

41:32

Michael Higdon takes a shot. Save by Rab Douglas.

39:38

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stevie Hammell by James McAlister. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

38:49

James McAlister takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.

37:52

Corner taken by Tom Hateley from the left by-line, Rab Douglas fouled by Shaun Hutchinson, the ref awards a free kick. Rab Douglas takes the direct free kick.

37:02

Tom Hateley takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Neil McGregor.

36:35

Corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley to the near post, Colin Nish manages to make a clearance.

35:57

Centre by Ryan Conroy, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

33:46

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jamie Murphy. Rab Douglas takes the free kick.

33:19

Colin Nish challenges Adam Cummins unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Cummins restarts play with the free kick.

31:12

Keith Lasley concedes a free kick for a foul on Iain Davidson. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Lewis Toshney.

27:39

Colin Nish fouled by Adam Cummins, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Matthew Lockwood.

24:26

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Ryan Conroy, Unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by Lewis Toshney results in a free kick. Keith Lasley restarts play with the free kick.

19:36

Assist on the goal came from John Baird.

19:36 Goal scored

Goal - Colin Nish - Dundee 1 - 0 Motherwell Colin Nish finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Dundee 1-0 Motherwell.

19:26

John Baird crosses the ball,

18:40

The offside flag is raised against Shaun Hutchinson. Indirect free kick taken by Rab Douglas.

16:31

John Baird challenges Keith Lasley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Randolph takes the direct free kick.

14:34

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Nicky Law from the right by-line, Headed effort on goal by Shaun Hutchinson from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the target.

12:01

Lewis Toshney takes a shot. Save by Darren Randolph.

11:33

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Ryan Conroy.

10:47

Corner taken right-footed by Tom Hateley to the near post, save by Rab Douglas.

10:17

Stevie Hammell takes a shot from 20 yards. Blocked by Neil McGregor.

8:46

Gary Irvine gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Hateley. Free kick taken by Fraser Kerr.

8:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Adam Cummins on James McAlister. Gary Irvine takes the free kick.

7:12

Keith Lasley takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Irvine.

6:15

Corner taken by Nicky Law, clearance made by Iain Davidson.

5:59

The ball is delivered by Chris Humphrey, clearance made by Matthew Lockwood.

2:35

The referee blows for offside against John Baird. Darren Randolph takes the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the game underway.

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