Gary’s boys lay down title marker
Dundee closed the gap on leaders Queen’s Park to just two points but boss Gary Bowyer insists they’ll keep taking it one game at a time.
The Dark Blues missed a penalty in the first half but struck three times after the break through subs Ben Will iamson and Alex Jakubiak with skipper Ryan Sweeney putting the icing on the cake.
However, Bowyer was keen to play down the significance of the win – or the fact if they win their game in hand, they’ll go top. The manager said: “I was pleased with the display but we still need to be better in front of goal. “We missed the penalty but at halftime they didn’t feel sorry for t h em - selves. “We came back out and I am delighted with the win and the clean sheet.
“But all it means is that we have won one game and we have three points. We can’t get carried away, we just have to concentrate on the next game.”
St Johnstone target Zak Rudden was absent from the Dundee squad, with Bowyer adding: “There is speculation so we will see where that one takes us.”
The Dark Blues had a big chance to take the lead in just the sixth minute when winger Paul McMullan was brought down by Tommy Robson in the box with referee Euan Anderson pointing to the spot.
McMullan picked himself up to take the penalty but fluffed his lines, trying to hit it straight down the middle but only succeeding in guiding it into the arms of grateful Calum Ferrie.
The home side had further chances for Barry Maguire, Jordan McGhee and Kwame Thomas before the break to no avail.
Queen’s had a penalty claim of their own on the hour mark as Josh McPake went down in the Dundee box under pressure from Sam Fisher but thei r appeals fell on deaf ears.
However, the stalemate was finally broken in the 69th minute. A lex Jakubiak’s shot from a tight angle was blocked by Ferrie but the rebound fell to sub Williamson who rifled a shot high into the roof of the net.
And the Dark Blues doubled their advantage just five minutes later when McMullan burst down the right and sent a telling cross to the back post with Jakubiak chesting the ball home past Ferrie.
Dundee then made it three in the 83rd minute when sub Ryan Clampin sprinted down the left and crossed for Sweeney to fire home.
Spider boss Owen Coyle was adamant his side should have had a penalty.
Coyle said: “I am not in here crying and moaning but we had such a clear and obvious penalty when it was 0- 0 and Josh McPake was pushed with two hands into the ground.
“But it wasn’t given and big moments like that can change games.”