McGowan strike punishes Jags and puts Dens men back in the play-off spots

DUNDEE boss James McPake insists he craves consistency from his team after they moved back into the promotion play-off positions with a narrow victory against Partick Thistle.

Paul McGowan’s strike after 31 minutes proved the difference to move the Dens Park side into fourth spot behind Ayr United on goal difference.

After watching his team make it two wins in a row, McPake said: ‘I’m not interested in the league table at the minute. I’ll start looking at it when we put in a consistent run.

‘We were at a point when we were miles behind teams in the play-offs and the side at the top of the league. We were in a run when we weren’t picking up any points. We’ve flipped it a little bit but we need to be consistent.

‘There were no chinks in our armour today after last week when we blew up after being 4-1 up against Dunfermline and them scoring twice. It didn’t feel like that was going to happen at any point today.

‘Our aim is to get out of this league but we need to get ourselves right and today is a massive step in that direction.’

Dundee almost scored the opener after just four minutes. Cammy Kerr delivered a great ball to striker Danny Johnson, whose header was tipped onto the bar by Jags goalkeeper Scott Fox.

McPake’s side came close again on 17 minutes as Kane Hemmings fed the ball across the box to McGowan but his shot was well blocked by Steven Saunders.

Thistle responded four minutes later, with only the woodwork denying them the lead. Joe Cardle’s crossfield pass found Reece Cole, who delivered from the right for Kenny Miller.

The veteran striker hit the ball first time on the edge of the box but his effort crashed off the underside of the bar before Cole’s follow-up shot was eventually held by keeper Jack Hamilton.

Dundee then grabbed the opener when Hemmings cut the ball back into the six-yard box for McGowan to slam home at the near post.

Ears cupped, he celebrated in front of the visiting fans, kicked an advertising board and then enraged Thistle supporters by continuing to gesture towards them.

Dundee continued to be a threat after half-time as Graham Dorrans’ deflected 20-yard shot was pushed wide by Fox on 54 minutes.

Hemmings was then denied twice within as many minutes. After a low drive flashed inches wide, his next effort was brilliantly saved by Fox.

With 15 minutes remaining,

Miller almost bagged an equaliser but his curling shot was pushed wide by Hamilton.

Thistle slipped back into the relegation play-off position and boss Ian McCall said: ‘I don’t think we did enough to win but we didn’t deserve to lose. It’s the nature of this league. It doesn’t matter how you play — it’s about results.’