Dundee 2 - 0 Ross County

Published on Saturday 14 March 2009 21:26

IF DUNDEE feared they were about to dropping out of the Division One title race after their midweek defeat to Queen of the South, their season received renewed hope yesterday with a crucial home victory.

Jocky Scott's side swatted aside Ross County with goals from Colin McMenamin and Mickael Antoine-Curier to make up some ground on leaders St Johnstone, who again faltered. Dundee now lie seven points behind with a game in hand, so, along with just like fellow promotion candidates Partick Thistle and Livingston, will feel the door has opened again further this weekend.

Although Craig Brewster caused Rab Douglas some unnecessary problems with a header early on in the game, it took until 25 minutes for the first real opportunity to be created. With the wind causing havoc to the players' attempts at crossing, it was a miracle that Andrew Shinnie was able to pick out Mickael Antoine-Curier with a free-kick but his delivery deserved better from the Frenchman, who blazed a free header over from six yards.

Dundee were far more potent in an attacking sense, although Mickael Antoine-Curier blazed a free header over the and could have had a penalty on the half hour when Eddie Malone was brought down inside the area, but Mike McCurry, the referee, waved away their protests. Any ire they had about that decision was extinguished two minutes later when they took the lead, McMenamin showing great bravery to attack Eric Paton's cross from the right with a diving header into the net., gave Antoine-Curier a lesson in how it should be done and got his reward for quick thinking when the ball flew past Joe Malin.

After being refused what looked a watertight penalty earlier in the game, Dundee were handed a soft-looking one right on half-time. Antoine-Curier jostled for the ball with Andy Dowie on the right-hand side of the box and seemed to just throw himself down looking for the award. McCurry was swayed this time and the striker dispatched the kick dead ball past County goalkeeper Joe Malin.

County had an opportunity to pull one back on 72 minutes when Richard Hart was afforded a free header inside the area, but Douglas saved well with both hands.