HOT ASH BURNS TOILING WASPS Lee double gets Dens men back on track
JAMES McPAKE hailed the attitude of his Dundee players after they rallied to see off struggling Alloa.
A Lee Ashcroft double and a strike from Max Anderson gave the Dark Blues’ under-pressure manager a much-needed three points to lift them level on points in the Championship with second-placed Dunfermline.
McPake said: “Attitude was the big thing. Even if things are going against you the attitude still needs to be there.
“I was proud of the players tonight because they had something about them. Alloa make it hard but we stood tall.
“I’ll have a better sleep than I had after the Ayr game, that’s for sure. I’ve barely slept since Tuesday night.
“It’s seven cup finals now for us. It’s all in our hands but we need consistency and belief and that kind of performance.”
From the off it was clear the Dens men were in the mood to atone for their midweek defeat to Ayr as they tried to take a grip of the game immediately.
Jason Cummings met a Declan McDaid cross but his close-range went straight into the arms of Alloa keeper Neil Parry. Ashcroft then spurned a glorious opportunity. Paul McGowan’s header found the defender in acres of space but his header was steered wide.
Max Anderson then teed up
McDaid who clipped the post before Alloa had a penalty appeal waved away. Sam Fisher’s tackle on Hetherington just as the midfielder was set to shoot had the home side shouting for a spot-kick but there seemed little in it.
A long throw from Liam Dick almost gave Alloa the chance to sneak a goal. Andy Graham met it but his glancing header trickled wide.
The opening goal came just before the break. McGowan picked out Ashcroft with his corner and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Cummings then tried an audacious overhead kick that was saved by Parry.
Ashcroft netted his second, a replica of the opener, getting on the end of McGowan’s corner and powering his header into the back of the net.
That seemed to knock the stuffing out of Alloa before
Dundee added a third. Paul McMullan showcased the confidence evident within the Dens Park side when he nutmegged Ray Grant with a reverse pass then put the ball straight into the path of Anderson. The teenager kept his composure as he steered the ball beyond Parry.
Wasps gaffer Peter Grant said: “Big Ashcroft will punish you if you give him that space.
“The way we conceded was disappointing It wasn’t down to Dundee. We just didn’t deal with set-plays well enough. We need to go and concentrate on the next performance.”