Dundee 1 - 0 Livingston: Reid secures runners-up spot for Dundee

DUNDEE may have wilted in the face of Ross County’s unrelenting consistency throughout this campaign but they did secure a small measure of consolation by confirming the First Division runners-up spot with this narrow win, writes Archie MacGregor at Dens Park.

The Dens Park club will hope this provides a platform on which to build a more robust claim for top spot next season, but although they did grab all three points on this occasion the manner in which they found themselves hanging on towards the end underlines a lack of ruthlessness which needs to be eradicated if they are to go one better and get back into the SPL.

The home side opened the game showing plenty of intent. Ryan Conroy sent in two noteworthy long-range efforts, the first of which cannoned off the post with Livingston goalkeeper Andrew McNeil reduced to being a spectator, whilst a free kick required some adroit handling by McNeil. The West Lothian men’s game plan was patently disrupted by a bizarre double injury blow with Kevin McCann having to be replaced by Jack Beaumont after only 12 minutes. The unfortunate Beaumont then had to be withdrawn himself only a short while later after suffering a head knock, with Andrew Russell then coming on as a second substitute.

Dundee eventually gained their reward three minutes after the interval with Jamie Reid taking advantage of a lapse in concentration by the visitors’ defence by racing clear and coolly sliding a shot past the advancing McNeil.

They should have gone on to consolidate their advantage and their inability to do so led to some anxious moments for the home support with Livingston almost securing an equaliser towards the end. Bobby Barr spurned their best opportunity by steering an angled shot too close to Rab Douglas