NOW BRING ON UNITED
Sub Ness seals third win on spin for Dark Blues as they plot derby revenge mission DUNDEE...2 MORTON...1
SUPER-SUB Jamie Ness gave on-form Dundee the perfect preparation for next week’s Tayside derby with the late winner that dumped Morton.
The midfielder had only been on the park five minutes when he swept home in stunning style from Graham Dorrans’ pass to hand James McPake’s side a third win in just seven days.
Ex-Rangers ace Ness’ strike moved the resurgent Dark Blues within three points of table-topping city rivals United, who travel to Caley Thistle today, and level with second-top Ayr United.
Kane Hemmings had given McPake’s men a 63rd-minute lead which was cancelled out 60 seconds later by Cameron
Salkeld. But Ness came to the rescue to ensure Dundee go into next Friday’s Dens Park derby with Robbie Neilson’s visitors high in confidence as they eye revenge for August’s 6-2 hammering at Tannadice.
Boss McPake hailed Ness and said: “I’m delighted for Jamie. It was a great strike.
“After all he has been through with injury, he has shown his quality and that speaks volumes for him.
“He’s brilliant around the club and you couldn’t ask for any more from him.
“It’s three great wins in a row which sets us up well for the derby. It’s one we’re really looking forward to and we can go into it with our confidence high. Our players have had a touch schedule but they have handled it well.
“Their character has been called into question. But they have answered their critics which says a lot about them.”
This televised clash on rainlashed Tayside followed contrasting fortunes for the two clubs earlier in the week.
Dundee won 3-0 at Alloa while Ton had gone down 3-2 at home to Ayr.
Morton won 1-0 in Greenock in late September but it was Dundee who began brightest last night. Skipper Paul McGowan dug out a cross that keeper Sam Ramsbottom did well to claw away.
The rebound fell for Andrew Nelson whose 12-yard effort was blocked by Ton’s defence.
Morton slowly began to find their feet although Bob McHugh’s shot from distance soared well wide. At the other end defender Jack Baird breathed a sigh of relief as he sliced Jordan Marshall’s cross over his own bar.
Following a low-key first half Dundee knew they had to raise their game after the break and they took a deserved lead just after the hour.
A short-corner gave Dorrans the time and space to pick out Hemmings and he glanced a glorious header past keeper
Ramsbottom. But a minute later Salkeld levelled with a cute back-post finish from Robbie Muirhead’s cross.
McHugh’s dipping volley went just over as Ton looked for a winner.
But it was Dundee who got it when Dorrans dinked a pass to Ness and he curled a great left-foot shot high into the net.
EUAN McARTHUR AT DENS PARK
Morton manager David Hopkin said: “We deserved a point at least.
“But it was a poor second goal we lost. It wasn’t good enough though we kept going.
“We’re disappointed overall but it has been a tough week and the players are getting stronger and fitter.
“Now it’s about manning up and making sure we don’t concede poor goals.”