Dundee secured a probably priceless three factors with a slender 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Dens Park.
Joe Westley scored the one purpose of the sport within the first half, and though the Buddies had a number of probabilities of their very own, they did not take them.
The consequence means Dundee at the moment are six factors forward of St Mirren, who’ve dropped into the relegation play-off spot with simply three video games left.
The hosts made 4 adjustments to the group that misplaced final Sunday’s derby at Tannadice with Drey Wright, Brad Halliday, Tony Yogane and skipper Simon Murray coming in for Imari Samuels, Scott Wright, Billy Koumetio and Ash Hay.
St Mirren made three alterations to the beginning line-up from their very own defeat to rock-bottom Livingston, with Jayden Richardson, Scott Tanser and Roland Idowu changing Declan John, the suspended Alex Gogic and Jonah Ayunga, who suffered a cruciate damage in opposition to the Lions.
The Darkish Blues had an early probability as Yan Dhanda superior on purpose however his strike was simply gathered by on-loan St Johnstone goalkeeper Ross Sinclair.
Nevertheless, Dundee took the lead within the twelfth minute. Cam Congreve delivered a cross from the fitting which discovered Westley and he fired the ball dwelling off the within of Sinclair’s put up.
There was one other scare for the Buddies within the twentieth minute when Richard King headed a Dhanda cross on to his personal put up earlier than Congreve and Westley mixed as soon as extra, however this time the striker despatched his snap shot simply large.
Within the fortieth minute, there was a fast VAR examine for a potential penalty for a problem on St Mirren’s Mark O’Hara, however no offence was discovered with Dundee heading down the tunnel at half-time with their slender benefit intact.
Shortly after the restart, Westley tried his luck from the sting of the St Mirren field however his shot was simply handled by Sinclair.
Buddies entrance man Mikael Mandron then unleashed a fierce drive from 22 yards nevertheless it flew straight into Dundee keeper Jon McCracken’s arms.
Dundee’s Joe Westley celebrates after scoring in opposition to St Mirren
The guests continued to press, with Richardson chopping in from the fitting and hitting a blistering strike however as soon as once more it was too near the keeper, who punched to security.
Simply earlier than the hour mark, St Mirren got here near drawing stage when Allan Campbell discovered Mandron with a pinpoint cross however the striker headed simply large, with McCracken then having to look vigorous to divert a Phillips’ cross for a nook.
Dundee suffered a giant blow within the 66th minute when McCracken needed to be helped off down the tunnel injured to get replaced by Kieran O’Hara, making his debut.
Residence substitute Samuels made an important goal-line clearance within the 89th minute and in stoppage time Sinclair made a surprising cease to maintain out a Hay header, nevertheless it was the house facet who had been celebrating at full time.
‘Derby defeat used to spur gamers on’
Dundee boss Steven Pressley:
“I thought they did only what they know and that’s to respond to criticism and disappointment. They have done it time and time again this season.
“There have been a variety of accusations made about our efficiency final week and there is just one option to reply. Phrases do not have an impact, you must do it on the market with a efficiency.
“I used it today prior to the game. I reminded them of some of the criticism.
“I did not do it through the week, I did not wish to deliver that to our coaching as a result of I wished us targeted and calm earlier than turning the warmth up in the present day.
“I have been very vocal around it. We have had to endure a lot of difficult moments and a lot of doubt.”
‘We’re in bother as a result of we’re not medical’
Interim St Mirren boss Craig McLeish:
“It’s a sore result and the performance probably doesn’t reflect it because we were bright and positive, especially in the second half.
“Nevertheless it sort of summed up our season, we do not rating sufficient targets and should not medical sufficient within the ultimate third.
“That’s been the story of the whole year and is why we’re in the position we’re in.
“We’re not down there as a result of groups are miles forward of us, we’re the place we’re as a result of we do not rating sufficient.
“I think the top scorer is on four or five, so we have to carry that load throughout the team.
“It has been an issue all season nevertheless it’s my drawback now, so it is to not disguise behind it and use it as an excuse saying it was right here earlier than I used to be.
“I need to fix it, we need to find ways to do more in the final third.
“Groups aren’t chopping us open and inflicting us issues, we’re inflicting our personal issues.
“Next week was always going to be a massive game against Kilmarnock. It’s still in our own hands and we control our own destiny.
“We’ve got to place in the present day to mattress, plan all through the week for subsequent Saturday.”
