WONDER STRIKE LIGHTS UP DENS
McMullan stunner provides spark for victory over Ayr
PAUL McMULLAN hit a contender for goal of the season as Dundee edged out Ayr United at Dens.
The winger opened the scoring for the Dark Blues with an incredible strike before Dundee doubled their advantage after the break through sub Zach Robinson.
The home side looked to be in total control until Ayr’s Josh Mullin pulled a goal back, however Dundee held on to secure the win and move up to fourth, level on points with the Honest Men.
Dundee boss Gary Bowyer was full of praise for McMullan and has demanded even more from the 26-year-old after he opened his account for the season in spectacular fashion.
He said: ‘A wonder strike from Paul gets us a deserved lead and, second half, I felt we had some really good opportunities to extend it.
‘Paul was terrific today, his through balls second half especially.
‘I think he is up there with the assists and we have challenged him to have more goals in his locker. ‘That’s his first for the season.’ Despite the defeat, Ayr boss Lee Bullen remained proud of his players.
He said: ‘After the second goal, the game could have run away from us if we had weaker characters.
‘But what I’ve got is a squad of players who will roll their sleeves up and give everything for the Ayr United badge.’
Dundee carved out the first opportunity after just three minutes with a corner played deep to Luke McCowan, who hit a long-range shot that Zak Rudden flicked just past Ayr keeper Charlie Albinson’s right-hand post.
As the half-hour mark approached, Dundee were starting to dominate possession without creating clearcut chances.
However, the home side finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a superb goal.
McMullan (pictured, left) picked the ball up and from all of 35 yards out, hit an unstoppable shot that flew high past Albinson into the top corner.
Dundee tails were up and McMullan came close again when he latched on to a Rudden header inside the Ayr box but this time he smashed his shot into the side netting. Bowyer made a double switch at half-time with strikers Rudden and Cillian Sheridan being replaced by Josh Mulligan and Robinson.
And the changes had an immediate impact with Dundee increasing their advantage in the 48th minute. McCowan played a low cross in from the left and although Jordan McGhee’s initial shot was saved by Albinson, Robinson was on hand to calmly slot home the rebound. Dundee had a quickfire opportunity to score their third but Albinson reacted smartly to block a McGhee shot.
Ayr had barely featured but grabbed lifeline on the hour mark as Akinyemi burst down the left before cutting the ball back for Mullin, who rifled a shot past Legzdins.
Dundee came close to restoring their two-goal advantage when McMullan bust a gut to send a cross in from the right but Mulligan couldn’t turn it home at the back post, with Robinson then having a shot blocked by Albinson.
Ayr sub Daire O’Connor had a chance to salvage a point right at the death but he sent his shot well over with Dundee celebrating at the final whistle.