Johnson penalties see Dark Blues to two-goal comeback

The second strike came on the 35th minute mark and it was a role reversal for the Pars dangermen – keeper Hamilton, however, won’t look back fondly on that one after his fine start in the Betfred Cup.

Dow dug out a cross from the right and the keeper came but could only claw at fresh air as Nisbet rose at the far post to nod into the empty net.

There was an immediate response from the manager as he ditched the 3-5-2 set-up that clearly wasn’t working for a four-man defence with Jordan McGhee pushed into midfield.

There was no let-up from the Pars, though, and they were inches from 3-0 as Nisbet curled an audacious effort with the outside of his boot off the woodwork.

Dundee got a lifeline, however, as the ball bounced off Dow’s arm in the area and the referee, interpreting the new handball rule, pointed to the spot.

Striker Johnson, who had barely been in the game, made no mistake and suddenly there was a game on.

Josh Todd and Declan McDaid were thrown on at the break and both made real impacts, McDaid with his pace and Todd with guile.

Eventually they got their chance to equalise and once more the referee was at the centre of it. Johnson was played in and looked certain to score only for Lee Ashcroft to come flying in with a tackle which got both man and ball. Aitken took a dim view, however, and once more pointed to the spot. Again, Johnson made no mistake. From there Dundee might even have nicked it on a night they barely deserved anything.

Performances must be better but the fightback won’t do them any harm at all.