Dark Blues in free fall after defeat
HAMILTON picked the perfect time to record their first away win of the season.
After seven draws and nine defeats on the road, Accies finally came up trumps with this deserved victory – a result that takes them out of immediate danger.
However, a lethargic performance means Dundee are now in the relegation play- off spot following a seventh successive defeat.
The Dark Blues are in free fall and although they remain five points ahead of Inverness, automatic relegation can’t be ruled out on this performance. It’s difficult to see where their next point is coming from.
They lacked confidence, composure and commitment. After losing the opening goal, Dundee never looked like taking anything from this old- fashioned six-pointer.
After defeating Rangers two months ago, Dundee were dreaming of making the top six at the split. Now, they face the fight of their lives to stay in the Premiership.
Manager Paul Hartley ran the gauntlet of disgruntled Dundee fans at time-up.
“I fully understand their feelings,” he said. “Do I like it? No. Do I understand it? Yes.
“These are alarming times. We face a real challenge now.
“We have to fight to dig out a result from somewhere. The players are low on confidence and find it hard when they go a goal behind. They have to brave.”
That’s not a problem Accies boss Martin Canning has.
“At this stage of the season, performance doesn’t usually matter as long as you get a result,” he said.
“We got both. We were excellent and could have scored a couple more.
“We’ve drawn too many games away from home this season, games we should have won.
“In the past, I always said after we lost on the road we shouldn’t get too low. Now, we’ve won an away game, we can’t get too high. “It’s all about keeping an even keel.” In a relegation scrap, the opening goal is always vital and Dundee should have claimed it.
Tom Hateley whipped in a decent
cross from the right. Marcus Haber was completely unmarked, but didn’t even make contact with the ball when any touch with his head would surely have produced a goal.
Five minutes later, they paid the ultimate price when Accies grabbed that vital advantage from a softlooking penalty.
Hateley was harshly adjudged to have brought down Dougie Imrie by referee John Beaton, but Alex D’Acol showed commendable composure and struck the spot kick into Scott Bain’s bottom right corner.
After this, you could see the confidence coursing through the visitors’ veins. They won most second balls and showed far better movement off the ball.
Although Dundee had plenty possession after the break, they never once forced a save out of Remi Matthews.
Just as they ran out of ideas, Accies eliminated any remaining doubt. Skipper Mickey Devlin found himself totally unmarked at the far post and strongly headed home Danny Redmond’s corner.
Now, Accies can see some light at the end of the tunnel. For Dundee, it’s nothing but darkness.