Dundee have ‘seven cup finals’ in front of them
Lee Ashcroft is relishing squaring up to former club Dunfermline next Saturday – in a clash that could define Dundee’s season.
The big defender headed a double as Dundee bounced back to thump Alloa 3-0 on Friday night after the painful home loss to Ayr United three days earlier. Ashcroft put a glaring miss early in the game behind him to score twice from Paul Mcgowan corners, with the energetic Max Anderson adding a third late on.
“We knew we were in for a tough match coming to Alloa – and that’s what it was,” said Ashcroft.
“We needed to start well and we did. I got my first goal at a good time in the match, just before half-time, and my second, early in the second half, gave us some confidence.
“I felt good after some frustration in my play recently, and I have missed some easy chances.”
To his credit, he did not let an early miss get to him when he headed wide from six yards with Neil Parry rooted to his line.
And Dundee did not look back after his 42nd-minute opener as they won for only the second time on the road in their Championship campaign.
The win hauled James Mcpake’s side second equal on points with Dunfermline and Raith after yesterday’s results, and the manager was in no doubt what the key to the victory was.
“Attitude was the big thing for us,” he stressed, “Even if things are going against you, the attitude still needs to be there.
“I can never question the players for workrate, and I was proud of them because they had something about them. “We have enough spirit and more than enough quality – there is never a question about that. It doesn’t get much harder than coming here.
“I am delighted with the result as it puts those around us under pressure. It is about what we do. I’ll try and not look at their results because it is seven cup finals now for us.
“It is all in our hands, but we need consistency and belief and that kind of performance.”
Alloa boss Peter Grant was disappointed with the result, saying: “I can accept defeat if you play well, but the way we conceded goals was disappointing. We weren’t in control of the match, and we didn’t pass well enough or quickly enough.
“To lose the goals we did was disappointing especially when we had a warning before that first one. It just wasn’t to be for us.
“These boys have been excellent for us, but to lose goals like that from static play – those are the difference at this level. We were off the pace.”