Match ends, Motherwell 0, Dundee 1.
Motherwell 0-1 Dundee
By Andy Burke
BBC Scotland at Fir Park
- From the section Football
Dundee emerged with three points from a largely forgettable affair at Fir Park as Motherwell sank to the foot of the Scottish Premiership.
The only goal came from a mis-hit Paul McGinn cross, which sailed over goalkeeper George Long into the net.
Well were a blunt force in attack throughout, creating barely a clear chance worthy of the name.
The Steelmen are now without a win in eight matches, while Dundee's top-six challenge remains in rude health.
The home crowd responded to manager Ian Barraclough's pre-match rallying call to get behind the side, but they were dealt a blow 12 minutes in when Dundee took the lead in bizarre fashion.
McGinn advanced down the right flank and looked to deliver into the box, but his cross was horribly miscued, so much so that it dropped over Long and the goal-line.
If that was fortunate then Paul McGowan was unlucky a few minutes later to see a wonderful 25-yard drive fly just past the top corner.
Motherwell offered very little as an attacking force in the first half, with Craig Moore's wayward effort from the edge of the box one of the few attempts on the Dundee goal.
The Premiership's leading goalscorer Greg Stewart had his first sight of goal after Anthony Straker was dispossessed in a dangerous area, but the forward's shot was comfortably saved by Long.
Stewart tested Long again early in the second period, the keeper getting down to save his volley from 10 yards after a good cross from Jim McAlister.
Motherwell tried to shake things up with the introduction of Dom Thomas and Lionel Ainsworth, but Dundee keeper Scott Bain continued to be a virtual spectator.
McGowan and Alex Harris were lively throughout for the Dark Blues, with the latter working a yard of space in the penalty area only to fire straight at Long.
The home side managed to force a succession of corners but never truly threatened to equalise, and they will need to find more attacking impetus if they are to climb away from the relegation battle.
Line-ups
Motherwell
- 1Long
- 5RamsdenBooked at 53mins
- 45Laing
- 6McManus
- 44Straker
- 47Grant
- 14Lasley
- 24JohnsonSubstituted forThomasat 43'minutes
- 22MooreSubstituted forThomasat 59'minutes
- 9SuttonSubstituted forAinsworthat 74'minutes
- 19Erwin
Substitutes
- 4Carswell
- 7Ainsworth
- 12Twardzik
- 18Law
- 20Kerr
- 26Thomas
- 46Thomas
Dundee
- 12Bain
- 19McGinn
- 4Konrad
- 5McPake
- 3Dyer
- 48McGinn
- 10Thomson
- 20McAlister
- 47Harris
- 15StewartSubstituted forClarksonat 83'minutes
- 18McGowanSubstituted forHarkinsat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Letheren
- 8McBride
- 16Clarkson
- 24Black
- 29Harkins
- 33Wighton
- 34Allan
- Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Attendance:
- 4,282
Match Stats
Home TeamMotherwellAway TeamDundee
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home4
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away4
- Corners
- Home5
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home17
- Away12
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 0, Dundee 1.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jim McAlister.
David Clarkson (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Louis Laing (Motherwell).
Thomas Konrad (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Lee Erwin (Motherwell).
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Jim McAlister.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by James McPake.
Foul by David Clarkson (Dundee).
Anthony Straker (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by James McPake.
Foul by Thomas Konrad (Dundee).
Lee Erwin (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. David Clarkson replaces Greg Stewart.
Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Keith Lasley.
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Gary Harkins replaces Paul McGowan.
Attempt saved. Stephen McGinn (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Alex Harris (Dundee) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Lee Erwin (Motherwell).
Corner, Dundee. Conceded by Conor Grant.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Lionel Ainsworth replaces John Sutton.
Jim McAlister (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Simon Ramsden (Motherwell).
Greg Stewart (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Stephen McManus (Motherwell).
Attempt missed. Louis Laing (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
Dom Thomas (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Greg Stewart (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Conor Grant (Motherwell).
Foul by Paul McGinn (Dundee).
Keith Lasley (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Dom Thomas replaces Craig Moore.
Attempt missed. Alex Harris (Dundee) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Kevin Thomson (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Craig Moore (Motherwell).
James McPake (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Craig Moore (Motherwell).
