Dee grab first win as Dons’ miserable run goes on and on
DUNDEE 2
Griffiths (49), Mcgowan (62)
ABERDEEN 1 Ramirez (67)
James Mcpake watched Leigh Griffiths and Charlie Adam inspire Dundee’s first league win of the season on the field.
However, the Dens Park boss dedicated the hard fought victory over struggling Aberdeen to the supporters who have stuck by them in a tough return to the top flight.
Griffiths show all his old flair to grab the opener while Luke Mccowan grabbed a crucial second as the Dons fought in vain to level.
Christian Ramirez’s seventh of the season was no consolation for the travelling fans who called for boss Stephen Glass to be sacked after 10 games without a win.
But Mcpake was thrilled despite being red carded near the end for an incident in the dugout just after serving a ban following one against Rangers.
Not even that or the sight of Shaun Byrne going off to hospital on a stretcher with a bad knee injury could spoil his night though.
Mcpake said: “I’m delighted for my players, the staff, the fans. It’s been a long time coming but that one is for the fans.
“They’ve come out in force tonight and backed us but they’ve been behind us all the way and deserve that result.
“We gave them things to cheer, we created chances, we played good football and showed togetherness. And I’ve never seen this crowd turn on a Dundee team that does that.”
You could tell how much was stake for both these teams as right from kick-off it was hundred-milean-hour stuff.
Aberdeen goalkeeper Gary Woods was even forced to push a curling Luke Mccowan shot clear in the opening seconds.
On the half hour mark only a wicked deflection prevented Lewis Ferguson fully testing Adam Legzdins.
Ramirez would have scored from Ramsey’s well delivered corner but Griffiths cleared the former USA international’s header off the line.
It was an important contribution from the on-loan Celtic striker but he had an equally important one to come at the other end.
Amazingly the second was even more intense sparked by a moment of real brilliance by Griffiths just when Aberdeen looked more likely to score.
Ashcroft crucially dispossessed Hedges at the edge of his own box and found Paul Mcmullan in space.
Mcmullan’s sumptuous crossfield pass found Griffith running in behind David Bates to control the ball with his left and slide it home with the right.
It was his first goal since scoring for Celtic at Pittodrie back in April but ecstasy turned to agony as he had to give way to injury shortly afterwards.
Mccowan helped ease the pain with a stunning second, swapping passes with Jordan Mcghee before lashing in the second.
It was all too much for some of Aberdeen’s travelling support as chants of “Stephen, Stephen, get tae f***” could be clearly heard from the away end.
Even a quick response on the park as Ramirez forced in Jack Mackenzie’s wicked cross in 67 minutes failed to quell the rebellion.
Aberdeen pounded the Dundee goal for the remaining time which included nine minutes extra after Byrne was carried off after a challenge with Declan Gallagher.
A thrilled and relieved Mcpake added: “Leigh’s goal was a trip down memory lane. I saw that goal against Aberdeen before when I was on the pitch with Leigh in a Scottish Cup semi-final.
“He needed a goal. He’s missed a few chances and he’s been annoyed with himself but now that he’s got that one goal and Charlie Adam was outstanding.”