McPake hails Hamilton as goalie shines in Ayr victory

DUNDEE boss James McPake hailed the reaction of goalkeeper Jack Hamilton after he made it five clean sheets from six in the 1-0 home success over Ayr.

The former Hearts goalie took plenty of flak last weekend after an error allowed Dunfermline’s Kevin Nisbet to nod his side two goals in front.

However, his manager was full of praise for Hamilton as he kept the Honest Men at bay, making a good save from Alan Forrest in the first half and then an even better one in the second to keep the score goalless before sub Andrew Nelson’s 74th-minute winner.

McPake said: “There were a lot of positives in my team, none more so than my goalkeeper.

“Huge credit to Jack – he made a save in the first half from Forrest, a big save in the second and then he came out and took a corner with a minute to go.

“After last week, he showed why he’s a quality goalkeeper and why I have so much faith in him.”

The Dens gaffer chose to go with new signing Kane Hemmings and in-form Danny Johnson as his front pairing.

However, it was the man who missed out who made the difference late on as Nelson nodded in Jordan Marshall’s cross to give Dundee their first league win of the season.

“Andy probably feels hard done by,” said McPake.

“I had a front two that didn’t include him and that’s no reflection on Andy, who has had a good pre-season.

“It was a tough decision to leave him out.

“But I really love working with Andy. You get everything from him and he showed that again for how long he was on the park here.

“His goal was great, a brilliant header. There’s so much more to come from him.

“We know he can make a massive contribution with goals allied to his overall play.”

The victory was McPake’s first league success as a manager and he was happy to see his side get the better of a hard opponent in Ayr to make it four points from two difficult opening matches.

He added: “It was a tough game against a dangerous team but I’m delighted to get the result.

“We had to hold on and Josh Todd’s chance right at the end would have made it a lot more comfortable for everyone.

“We’re going to need the grit and determination because the Championship is a tough league.

“Teams will come to Dens and frustrate us but I thought we handled it well.”

Dundee boss James McPake.