The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
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Charlie Adam drives in the final goal from the penalty spot as Dundee beat Cove Rangers 3-0 at Dens Park last night to set up a Betfred Cup Group B decider with Hibernian on Sunday.
Dundee moved to the top of Betfred Cup Group B with a 3-0 win over nine-man Cove Rangers at Dens Park.
The Dark Blues were in control for much of the contest, but made hard work of their task in the second half against Paul Hartley’s side, who played the final 36 minutes two men light.
Blair Yule and Jamie Masson saw red either side of the break but the match wasn’t over as a contest until Danny Mullen’s 84thminute goal added to Paul McGowan’s opener.
Charlie Adam would add a late penalty after missing one in the first half.
Jack Hamilton returned in goal as Dundee boss James McPake made two changes to his starting XI.
Jonathan Afolabi missed out due to a hamstring issue, with Max Anderson taking his place. Lee Ashcroft, Jordon Forster, Alex Jakubiak, Osman Sow and Callum Moore missed out due to illness or injury.
Dee-fiant hero Leighton McIntosh, meanwhile, started up top for Cove.
The home side got off to the perfect start, finding the net after just six minutes with their two wide men key.
Declan McDaid made the goal with a fine bit of play out wide, knocking the ball over his man and then finding Paul McGowan with a low cross.
Playing as a left winger, McGowan made no mistake by taking a touch before firing into the top corner.
On 19 minutes, Charlie Adam found space 25 yards out but fired an effort a yard over the bar.
Five minutes later the visitors tested Hamilton for the first time, the goalie beating out a Jordan Brown shot. Before the half-hour mark McDaid had the chance to make it 2-0 after Mullen’s effort was blocked but he smashed his shot wide.
Five minutes later Cove threatened again but, once more, Hamilton was equal to the shot, getting down to save well from Mitch Megginson’s low drive.
Shortly before the break the Dark Blues were given the chance to take complete control of the contest as Anderson was brought down in the area.
The ref pointed to the spot and showed Blair Yule a straight red card. The penalty, though, was spurned as Adam’s effort came back off the post.
Five minutes after the break Adam had another chance, this time set up by McGowan, but dragged his left-foot shot well wide.
The hosts were then reduced to nine men as Jamie Masson was shown a straight red for a challenge on Jordan Marshall inside the Dundee area.
And seconds later McGowan should have made it 2- 0 but blasted over from six yards.
On the hour, the nine men were almost level after Hamilton remarkably dropped the ball but then picked it back up again, giving away an indirect free-kick in the area. Megginson, though, sent his low effort wide.
Paul Hartley made a slew of substitutions to keep his team fresh as they looked to stay in the game. Dundee, meanwhile, were making life hard for themselves with some sloppy passes and touches.
Christie Elliott, Max Anderson and sub Fin Robertson would test Stuart McKenzie in the visiting goal but the second goal to kill the contest looked like it might elude James McPake’s side.
With five minutes left on the clock, however, Mullen sealed the victory. Adam found the striker with a lovely ball and the former St Mirren man squeezed it under the goalie.
There was still time for a third as M cD aid was brought down in the area and Adam made no mistake.
Victory sends Dundee top, level with Hibs on nine points ahead of their meeting at Easter Road on Sunday.