The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Much-needed win closes gap on city rivals
This was certainly a much-needed victory for Dundee.
The damaging defeat against Dundee United two weeks ago and then the embarrassing loss to part-time Elgin City in the Challenge Cup meant the Alloa game was in the must-win category.
Dark Blues boss James McPake reacted to that latter reversal by making no fewer than six changes on Saturday.
Most of them worked with the likes of on-loan Rangers winger Josh McPake, who was handed his first start for Dundee, producing a display full of promise.
His fellow Scotland Under-19 teammate
Finlay Robertson, though, was my man of the match with his mature performance once again belying the fact that he is incredibly still just 16.
Manager McPake also showed that he will not shy away from making difficult decisions, dropping marquee summer signing Kane Hemmings to the bench with Danny Johnson preferred as the lone striker.
Alloa certainly had their moments and will still be kicking themselves that they did not secure a draw with the normally-reliable Alan Trouten having his spot-kick saved by Jack Hamilton.
That, though, is of little concern to Dundee.
McPake insists he is not interested in what league leaders United are doing but Dundee simply could not afford to pass up the golden opportunity afforded by the Tangerines’ defeat at Ayr with the gap between the city rivals now back to four.
The Alloa victory needs to be the start of a sustained run for the Dark Blues and more of the same is needed next week at Morton.
The Alloa victory needs to be the start of a sustained run for the Dark Blues.