McMullan’s the man for Dundee
DUNDEE 1 McMullan (26)
Gary Bowyer hailed Dundee for breaking an 18-year hoodoo in the Highlands with a first league win in Inverness.
Paul McMullan’s first-half wonder-strike settled a dogged contest at the Caledonian Stadium in the Dark Blues’ favour.
The win made it eight Championship outings unbeaten for Bowyer’s men.
It kept them just a point behind leaders Ayr United.
Bowyer said: “It was a hardfought win and the first time Dundee have won here in the league, so we are absolutely delighted.
“We always knew it would be hard fought as the league is one of the hardest.
“We didn’t play particularly well, but I was pleased with our mentality and the way we dug in.
“The way we managed the game at the end was really impressive.”
The winning goal was a joy. Paul McMullan, only recently crowned Championship player of the month, cut inside from the left before sending a brilliant 25-yard strike high on to the far top corner of the net from outside the angle of the box.
Bowyer added: “It was a wonderful goal.
“He’s been on a fantastic run of form after we challenged him for more goals.
“He stepped up today and delivered.
“It’s frustrating that we didn’t capitalise on some wonderful opportunities we had in the second half.
“We had a wonderful support up here today.
“We all know the cost of living at the moment so for so many to make the journey up was great and we thank them for their efforts.
“We’ve never got too high or to low and we’ll carry on in that rich vein of form, hopefully.
“But we are not going to get ahead of ourselves.”
Dundee showed spells of decent possession and movement, but the breathtaking goal came completely out of the blue in the 26th minute.
And home manager Dodds was visibly furious at how easy his players had made it for the visitors before the decisive moment
Dodds said: “We gave so much to the game.
“Their goalkeeper Adam Legzdins has come off saying we’re the best team they’ve played all season – and that’s with us missing bodies.
“We will take heart from that. “We deserved something from the match. I’m not saying we deserved to win it, but the players gave me so much.
“We’re just missing that bit of quality and I’m a bit exasperated with them not having the willingness to get on the end of crosses and score.”
ICT:
(4-2-3-1) MacKay 6; Duffy 6, Devine 7, Ram 6 (Barrett 72, 4), Harper 6; Carson 7, Hyde 6 (Boyd 72, 4); Shaw 7, Doran 7 (Nicolson 84, 2), D. MacKay 6; Oakley 6. Subs – Ridgers, Strachan, Calum MacKay, Bray.
DUNDEE:
(4-3-3) Legzdins 6; McGhee 6, Sweeney 6, Ashcroft 7, Kerr 7; French 7 (Grayson 90, 1), Byrne 6 (Robertson 70, 4), Williamson 6 (Osei 70, 4); Mulligan 6, Rudden 6 (McCowan 70, 4), McMullan 7. Subs – Sharp, Jakubiak, Sheridan, Anderson, Cameron.