Mark McGehee led Dundee’s Covid-hit to a 1-1 draw with former Motherwell FC.
McGhee was with out 10 gamers, however the draw back of the Premier League was what it deserved at Honest Park.
Paul McMullan gave the guests the lead within the sixth minute after a mistake by Stephen O’Donnell earlier than Joe Efford scored his first aim for Motherwell 12 minutes later.
The equalizer failed to begin the house staff’s efficiency they usually remained unwinnable within the league in 2023.
Dundee has already misplaced forwards Zach Rhoden and Luke McCowan to the Covid-related absences and one other constructive case on Friday that noticed six gamers utterly out of isolation.
Skilled duo Charlie Adam and Niall McGinn have additionally pulled out by way of harm, becoming a member of goalkeeper Adam Liegzdens and long-term absent Cillian Sheridan on the sidelines.
McGhee, whose final sport for Motherwell was 5 years in the past, in a 5-1 loss to Dundee, was pressured to make 5 modifications after a midweek draw with Hibernian.
Midfielder Declan McDaid has secured the lone striker position in his first sport since taking part in Falkirk on mortgage 4 months in the past, and 20-year-old goalkeeper Harry Sharp is making his skilled soccer debut.
Dundee wanted all the assistance they may get and O’Donnell gave them a present. The precise-back acquired a deep cross in management however then determined to attempt to face McMullan contained in the penalty space and misplaced the ball. The winger’s shot curled into the highest nook.
Max Anderson shortly got here shut, however the hosts regained a tie when Kevin van Veen did nicely to chop the ball again underneath stress to Efford on the six-yard line. The Individuals’ first try was stymied and the second proved too highly effective for Sharp to get away from.
Efford flashed a shot from 20 yards after a greater job than O’Donnell and Motherwell seemed like they need to have been awarded a penalty or free kick when Ryan Sweeney hit Kane Woolery on the nook of the penalty space because the duo lengthy chased the ball. Referee Andrew Dallas appeared not sure of the sport.
However Motherwell, who was taking part in left-back, Dundee’s Ricky Lamy, usually struggled to place stress on the underpowered guests, with easy passes misplaced their means and crosses crossed.
The guests’ confidence elevated after the break they usually felt that they may get extra out of the match. McDaid pressured a save from distance and was off course when he did nicely to show O’Donnell’s foot right into a harmful cross from McMullan.
Liam Kelly saved from Jordan McGee, whereas substitute Jay Chapman and left-back Jordan Marshall in Dundee had been off course.
As for Motherwell, Woolery, Mark O’Hara and Efford didn’t get formidable photographs on course and Van Veen shot excessive nook from inside the realm.
Motherwell coach Graham Alexander waited till the 77th minute earlier than making the modifications. Ross Tierney and Callum Slattery got here alongside, however the determination to take away O’Hara fueled widespread opposition amongst dwelling followers.
The house staff completed the strongest aspect. Van Veen arrange Tierney, however the Irishman was shortly surrounded and fired straight at Sharp, who delivered a positive shot from Woolley within the final moments.
McGee is greater than happy that Dundee good points an ‘unlikely level’
Dandy Director Mark McGehee:
“I believe we needs to be very happy. The younger goalkeeper got here in, Declan McDade performed up entrance – he did not play there and we did not play as a result of we had been undoubtedly right here – they usually each cleared themselves very well.
“The others we knew on Friday, however Ian [Lawlor] The take a look at end result was solely constructive this morning. We needed to get the younger goalkeeper out of his mattress and ask him to carry his gloves. I used to be completely happy for him.
“I hoped that Wednesday would give us a foothold and we may begin constructing. Then we checked out 5 gamers who began.
“However I believe that efficiency has continued from that.”
Alexander: We must always have put our energy on the sport
Motherwell Director Graham Alexander:
“All issues had been there for us, however it’s important to begin nicely and we began in a horrible means. Actually, the aim was actually unhealthy.
“It modifications momentum, makes our crowd excitable, makes us excitable, makes them pop their chests and really feel higher about themselves.
“We responded very well and acquired the aim and we should always have actually utilized our energy to the match, however I do not assume we did.
“We did it in stints right here and there, however we did not have sufficient constant stress or high quality within the last third to attain that successful aim.
“It is a missed alternative, one hundred pc.
“However, amazingly, we nonetheless have that chance due to the outcomes elsewhere, and that is what now we have to give attention to.”
What then?
Motherwell hosts Hibernian within the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Sunday 13 March at 12:30pm, whereas Dundee hosts St Mirren within the Scottish Premier League on Wednesdays at 7.45pm.
