Dark Blues guilty of ‘criminal defending’

James McPake says “criminal” defending from his Dundee side cost them two points as Raith Rovers grabbed a late equaliser.

The Dark Blues boss said: “I’m devastated to not get all three points.

“I didn’t feel we needed the second goal, we didn’t need that last week but you have to do your jobs properly from set-plays.

“Set-plays are massive in football at every level.

“To concede such a poor goal from a set-play after getting a warning from Musonda before is criminal. At any level of football.”

Charlie Adam fired in a superb goal in the first half before limping off with a slight hamstring problem with 14 minutes remaining.

Asked whether losing Adam was pivotal in the match swinging towards the visitors, Mc Pa ke replied: “I thought Charlie was excellent.

“A great goal and some really good stuff in the game. But he tired and his hamstring tightened up.

“They came into the game and are a good side going forward but I still felt comfortable enough in the game in open play, but if you don’t defend a corner it’s criminal.”

The Dark Blues boss also felt his side should have had a penalty in the second period when the ball struck the arm of Iain Davidson as Jonathan Afolabi tried to knock the ball on.

Referee Alan Newlands was unmoved, however.

McPake said: “It was a stonewaller. It’s not an excuse, though. We couldn’t defend a set-play and that ’s why we couldn’ t get all three points from the game.

“I’m expected to do my job, which I didn’ t because we didn’t win, my players didn’t do their jobs properly to defend the se t- play and the referee didn’ t do his properly either.”

Meanwhile, Raith Rovers assistant boss Paul Smith was delighted to see his side keep up their unbeaten start to life in the Championship.

The Kirkcaldy side made it seven points from nine to kick off the campaign.

Smith said: “I was disappointed with the way we played in the first half, we didn’t play our usual passing game.

“Credit to Dundee, they made it very difficult for us. We changed to a diamond in the second half and I thought we got control of the game.

“I think we thoroughly deserved the point at the end of the day.

“We’re delighted to come up to Dens and come away with a point. To stay unbeaten in the league is fantastic for us.”