The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Allan spurs Dark Blues on to victory
Substitute’s contribution helps Dundee climb above hosts in table
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL 1 DUNDEE 2
Scott Allan came off the bench to not only turn the match Dundee’s way, but to produce a man-of-the-match display, and made a massive case to manager Neil Mccann to be given a regular start.
The one-time Dundee United star came on for Paul Mcgowan on the hour mark and turned in a five-star performance, which was crucial in the Dark Blues picking up all three points and moving up a place to ninth in the Premiership ahead of their hosts.
Mccann said: “Scott has been great on impact and when the game is stretched like that you can see how good he is and how purposeful he can be. That’s what I’m wanting from Scott all the time.
“Without a doubt he played a huge part in driving us forward and pinning Hamilton back.”
Dundee got off to the worst possible start, going a goal behind after just 90 seconds when the luckless Mark O’hara sliced a downward header from Lewis Ferguson past goalkeeper Elliot Parish into his own net.
Hamilton had won the previous four league games against the Dark Blues, conceding just once, but that was to change with two goals in the last 13 minutes by substitute Matty Henvey and A-jay Leitch-smith, after Accies had gone down to 10 men with David Templeton picking up two yellow cards in quick succession.
“It was a brilliant finish by us and I thought we were relentless in our push for the winner,” added Mccann.
“I thought we totally dominated the game. Hamilton tried to kill the game and waste time and the goalkeeper got booked for it and ironically we scored in one of those minutes right at the death.
“It was a classic striker’s finish from A-jay – and young Matty (Henvey). I’m so delighted for the team and the fans because against Hamilton we’ve found it tough. I thought we got what we deserved.
“I felt we got our tactics spot on and glad we got the three points and moved above them in the league.
“You are always hoping it will build momentum but our target is top six and we’ve never changed our target.
“Our play has deserved lots of points in the past we’ve not got, but there is no better feeling than scoring right at the death and you saw that with the wild celebrations.”
Dundee arrived having won just once in their last six trips to the Superseal Stadium. However, Neil Mccann’s side were boosted by the fact they had avoided defeat in three of their past four away league games.
After going behind so early on, they proceeded to dominate the first period.
The Dark Blues brought on Kerr Waddell at the break for Josh Meekings and continued their incessant pressure but Accies might have got a second in 56 minutes when Templeton curled a freekick off the inside of a post.
Mccann added: “I turned to Graham (Gartland) and said, that’s the bit of luck we hadn’t got against Accies in the past.”
The Dundee boss rang the changes and brought on the brilliant Allan on the hour mark for a hugely disgruntled Mcgowan.
Five minutes later Allan sent a sublime ball through to Sofien Moussa, who netted, but was adjudged offside.
Accies were reduced to 10 men in 73 minutes when Templeton was sent-off for two challenges in four minutes.
Dundee wasted no time in exploiting the extra space and levelled in 77 minutes when Allan whipped over a delightful low cross from the right for Henvey to volley home from six yards.
Dundee assistant Gartland was sent to the stand 10 minutes from the end by referee Kevin Clancy, on the advice of fourth official Craig Napier.
The Dark Blues were not to be denied and eight minutes into stoppage time, after five minutes had been shown on the board, Kamara drilled in a low drive, which was flicked on by Leitch-smith past Woods to send the Dens Park faithful into ecstasy.
Accies boss Martin Canning, whose side have now won just once in their last 11 home league games, said: “I spoke all week about decision making and Templeton being sent off has cost us the game, no doubt. He has apologised to the boys. I don’t know where the extra minutes came from. I was angry about that, but there’s nothing you can do.”
“I thought we were relentless in our push for the winner NEIL MCCANN