AJ the man as Dee win thriller

NEIL McCANN praised the impact of A-Jay Leitch-Smith after two goals on his full debut gave Dundee a first win of the season.

Leitch-Smith hit a brace before a chaotic final 10 minutes saw Liam Craig score twice from the spot for St Johnstone, while Sofien Moussa also netted a penalty and Darren O’Dea was sent off in a 3-2 win for McCann’s side.

McCann said: “Brilliant, delighted. We have created chances this year and not taken them at times.

“(It was a) poacher’s goal at first and a real clinical finish for the second.

“We’re happy with his day’s work.”

The Dee had just one point going into the match, but climbed off the bottom of the table with three points, leaving McCann pleased with the response of his side.

“I said during the week that our performances during the season have not given us the rewards I think we deserve at times,” he said.

“I challenged the boys (on Saturday). I’ll take the panic, I’ll take the stick and the pressure from the fans if we’re not winning matches as long as they keep to believe in what we’re doing in training.

“I’m so happy for them and proud of them because they stood up against a fantastic St Johnstone side who were third in the league.”

Saints manager Tommy Wright was left fuming with the decision to disallow a goal from Steven Anderson shortly before a penalty was awarded at the other end for a foul on Leitch-Smith.

However, he admitted poor defending for the opening two goals left the visitors with no complaints.

“I think we have to look at ourselves,” he said. “We gave them two goals. A shocker from us.

“We should deal with the first and the second should have been a better header.

“They’re two preventable goals, (but) we showed character to get back into it.”