James McPake on the ball as fans feared case of 'Peak Dundee' amid substitute confusion

The Ayrshire dusk combined with a camera position not much higher than Jason Cummings’ socks meant it was possible one might have been mistaken.

Dundee manager James McPake: on the ball at Ayr (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

But there was considerable consternation on various Dundee fans’ WhatsApp chats and forum threads when the Dens Park side made a double substitution in the dying moments of their 3-0 win over Ayr United.

Lyall Cameron and Charlie Adam came on, one of whom surely counted as the fourth substitute for Dundee. While permitted in the Premiership and Leagues 1 and 2, upping the limit from three to five subs was rejected in a vote by Championship clubs last year.

‘Peak Dundee’, was one comment from a fan fearing that all Dundee’s good work was about to be undermined in the form of a points deduction following the spectacular own goal. It was feared somebody on the Dundee staff had miscounted in the Ayr gloaming. The Dens Park side’s Premiership promotion bid was in tatters.

Turns out manager James McPake and the Dundee bench were on the ball. Ayr had already used one of the two concussion subs now allowed when Josh Todd had departed earlier after being booted in the head by Jordan Marshall. What isn’t widely known is the opposition can send on an extra sub if they so desire at any time of their choosing, so they are not disadvantaged.

It may sometimes seem like they are making the rules up as they go along – but this, undoubtedly, has been a good change.

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