Backs-to-the-wall Well B grind out win over Dee
dundee 0 motherwell 1 Tan n er (33)
They have been branded physical and cynical.
But in downing Dundee, Motherwell were absolutely clinical.
Craig Tanner’s first-half strike – his fourth against the Dark Blues this season – earned the Steelmen a win that was the definition of hard-earned.
Having claimed the lead with their only effort on target, Stephen Robinson’s side held on to it with a backs-to-the-wall defensive display in the second half.
Dundee were dominant, but they couldn’t find a way through.
For Well’s jubilant gaffer, it was a defensive display worthy of top marks.
“Take nothing away from Dundee, I think they’re a good side. Neil’s doing a good job here,” said Robinson.
“But if I was a fan going back down the road knowing people are putting that Motherwell badge on, throwing themselves to the ground, tackling, heading, putting their bodies on the line, I’d be very happy.
“We can play a lot better than that but when you play games like this you need to show resilience and that’s what we did.
“In terms of character and organisation I give them top marks.”
Robinson’s side dumped their hosts out of the Scottish Cup at Dens just two weeks ago.
This time around, Dundee looked hungry for revenge.
Josh Meekings, deployed on the left of a back three, rushed forward twice in the opening 10 minutes to launch deadly long throws into the box.
Trevor Carson had to look sharp on the second occasion to claim luckless teammate Tom Aldred’s point-blank header.
After starting on the back foot, Motherwell gained momentum.
Curtis Main tried his luck with a looping header just before the half-hour, but it was misdirected and Elliot Parish gathered easily.
Dundee came within a whisker of taking the lead three minutes later when Sofien Moussa met Roarie Deacon’s corner on the volley, only to see the ball spin just wide of the post. They were immediately made to pay. The Steelmen sliced straight up the park. Main, wide right, beat Dundee’s offside trap and squared to the back post for Craig Tanner to side-foot into the empty net.
Having responded sluggishly to falling behind, the home side needed a kick up the backside at half-time.
The way they came flying out of the traps suggested they’d got it.
A golden chance fell to Genseric Kusunga from Glen Kamara’s cross, but
the Angolan defender fired his effort wildly over the bar.
Meekings then had the Dundee support on its feet with a header that crept agonisingly wide.
With the Well looking distinctly unwell, the Dark Blues pressed for an equaliser.
Steven Caulker lashed an effort high and wide after some neat play by Kamara on the edge of the box, then Simon Murray hit the by-line only to misplace a cross-cum-shot.
It was one-way traffic as the hour mark came and went, but Deacon couldn’t find the target after jinking into the box.
Dundee were getting desperate and tempers frayed when Paul McGowan and Carl McHugh tangled on the ground, with the former appearing to swing an arm.
Both players were booked by ref Alan Muir, but the drama wasn’t over.
With the Well goal under siege in injury time, substitute A-Jay LeitchSmith attempted to hook the ball behind him in the box only for Cedric Kipre’s hand to get in the way.
The penalty shout was huge, but the referee wasn’t swayed, leaving Neill McCann to lament another three points down the drain.
“We dominated the match, there was only one side wanting to win,” he said.
“That’s the most frustrating thing as we created gilt-edged chances.”