Kilmarnock kept their slim hopes of catching Hearts for third place in the
Bank of Scotland SPL and gaining a UEFA Cup spot alive after taking all three
points from a poor encounter at Dens Park.
A 25-yard strike from Chris Innes was enough to split the teams and send the
Dark Blues crashing to their first defeat in 15 matches after an uninspiring
match.
The only bright spot for the home side was the appearance of Beto Carranza as
a late substitute, for his first game of the season following a career
threatening knee injury.
Dundee carved open a good chance in the fourth minute when Jonay Hernandez's
scuffed shot from 20-yards found its way to Mark Burchill inside the area.
The Killie defence claimed offside against the former Celtic man, but were
relieved to see him scoop the ball high and wide of goal from 12 yards.
Neither side could get a grip of the match in the opening stages and
possession of the ball was frequently surrendered after one or two passes.
Burchill's effort seemed to set the tone for the rest of the first half, with
neither goalkeeper seriously troubled.
Kilmarnock did force Julian Speroni in the Dundee goal into making one save
before half time, but James Fowler's shot - after he had raced clear of the
Dundee defence to collect a long ball - was hit straight at the body of the
Dundee keeper, allowing him the simplest of stops.
Dundee approached the second half with more vigour and some excellent skill
from Gavin Rae almost set up Dave MacKay for the opening goal.
Scotland cap Rae expertly flicked the ball over the head of a defender and
into the path of the young defender, who had raced up the right-hand side.
Unfortunately for the Dark Blues MacKay's 18-yard shot was poor and Marshall
was able to get his hands behind the ball and make the save.
Kilmarnock took the lead with 15 minutes remaining just as it seemed as though
the game was destined to peter out and end goalless.
Innes picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, after it had been pinged to and
fro as Killie tried to get a shot on target, and fired a low effort past Speroni
and into the net.
Dundee almost equalised minutes later when MacKay once again broke down the
right flank and this time managed to knock the ball over the head of Marshall,
who had come well outside his area to try to clear.
MacKay lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper's head, but to Marshall's credit,
he rushed back and made a spectacular diving save on the far right corner of his
area.
Carranza was introduced to the play with six minutes remaining for his first
appearance of the season following a knee injury.
However, it was too little too late for the Dens Park men, who slipped to
their first defeat since January's winter break.
Teams:
Dundee: Speroni, Mackay, Mair, Wilkie, Hernandez Santos, Rae,
Smith (Carranza 84), Brady, Novo (Lovell 67), Caballero,
Burchill (Milne 79).
Subs Not Used: Langfield, Beith.
Kilmarnock: Marshall, Innes, McLaughlin, Dindeleux, Canero,
Fowler, Locke (Boyd 61), Mahood, Hay, McSwegan (Di Giacomo 87),
McLaren (Dillon 67).
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Murray.
Booked: McLaren, Fowler.
Goals: Innes 76.
Att: 5,964
Ref: S Conroy (Scotland).
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