Crucial points but hard work remains

Awin secures three points – no more or less – but the importance for Dundee cannot be over-stated. St Johnstone will be kicking themselves that they did not take something from the game after quickly recovering from the hammer blow of going behind within the first minute.

Saints had much the better of the first half and Dundee nerves were jangling well before Steven MacLean scored his equaliser.

However, Sofien Moussa bulleted home his late header to send the stands on three sides of Dens into raptures.

Neil McCann’s side simply could not have afforded to drop points with Partick beating Hamilton and Ross County drawing against Motherwell to ensure that there is still plenty of work to do before the Dark Blues can finally relax this season.

They now travel to face Motherwell next weekend.

The Steelmen have caused Dundee no end of problems this season but there are reasons to believe they can pick up a vital win on the road.

Moussa may not be everyone’s cup of tea but the big striker’s confidence should be sky high after he proved more than a few doubters wrong with his crucial double against Saints.

Craig Wighton, looking bigger and stronger, made his first start since suffering his cruciate injury and did enough against St Johnstone to suggest he could yet emerge as a key player in the games remaining.

As for the war of words in the build-up to Saturday’s contest... let’s just say it’s unlikely Neil McCann and Tommy Wright will be sending each other Christmas cards.

Striker Craig Wighton made his first start of the season.