FEELS GR-EIGHT TO END HOODOO
Mullen strike ends Dee’s rotten run
Prior to last night’s game, the Dark Blues had lost all seven of their previous meetings to their Tayside tormentors, including another two defeats already this season.
But James McPake’s men, in a buoyant frame of mind after Saturday’s thumping 3-0 win over Motherwell, took a grip of this contest from the first whistle and secured all three points thanks to Mullen’s first-half goal.
Not surprisingly, McPake made just one change from the team that beat Well with Liam Fontaine drafted in at centre-half for Lee Ashcroft.
McPake’s opposite number, Callum Davidson, brought Cammy MacPherson and Chris Kane in for Lars Dendoncker and Craig Bryson.
Dundee were quickly into their stride and skipper Charlie Adam had a chance from a Paul McGowan corner but St Johnstone keeper Zander Clark comfortably held his headed effort.
Dundee goalie Adam Legzdins was called into action shortly after when Ali Crawford whipped in a freekick from the left with the keeper having to acrobatically punch the ball away to safety.
The Dark Blues carved out another opening with Luke McCowan seeing his shot blocked at Clark’s near post.
Adam was in the mood and the former Scotland and Rangers star produced another moment of magic, sending a superb cross-field pass to Paul McMullan galloping down the right but the winger’s composure deserted him as he advanced into the Saints box and his shot flew well wide.
The game continued to ebb and flow with St Johnstone next to have a chance but Michael O’Halloran’s effort was a tame one off target.
McCowan came close to breaking the deadlock in 36 minutes when he hit a superb shot from 22 yards that clipped the outside of Clark’s left-hand post with the Dundee winger claiming the keeper had got a fingertip to his effort.
However, the Dark Blues did take the lead just three minutes later. McGowan played a pass into the feet of Mullen 16 yards out and the striker turned before firing low past Clark for his second goal in successive games.
Saints looked to hit back straight away and Eetu Vertainen tried his luck from long range but his shot was easily gathered by Legzdins.
Adam was next to pull the trigger right on the stroke of half-time and his crisp shot from 25 yards flew just past Clark’s left-hand post.
Just three minutes after the restart, Dundee came close to doubling their advantage. Jordan Marshall sent a cross in from the left with Mullen’s header tipped over by Clark.
However, St Johnstone did have a chance on the break but Vertainen’s final pass to Kane was too heavy and the opportunity was lost.
Dundee hit straight back when Max Anderson teed up McCowan but his shot flew well over.
Vertainen then had an opportunity of his own when he got his head to a Shaun Rooney cross but Legzdins saved well at his near post.
Dundee had a great chance to put the game to bed in the 82nd minute, but McMullan shot just over with the goal at his mercy, but they saw it out.