A goal either side of half-time gave Dundee a morale-boosting three points at Cove Rangers.
A third league victory of 2023 took longer than expected to arrive but it was a welcome one for the Dark Blues after two defeats in the last three.
It was also nicely timed with Queen’s Park, Morton and Ayr all dropping points and a two-week break coming up.
So what can we take from a freezing afternoon in Aberdeen?
Expectations
This was anything but a classic performance. Neither side showed much quality throughout.
But the expectation on Dundee in the Championship is to win matches and that’s the crucial take-away from this one – they did just that.
At times this season, missed chances have proved costly. At others, poor defending.
That wasn’t the case at the Balmoral Stadium, though they could have added more with extra care in the final third.
After Tuesday’s dreadful display against Partick Thistle, a response was required. And nothing but victory would do.
Going from just two wins in eight league games pre-match, Dundee can now put a positive spin on their recent run and point to only two defeats in eight league games.
Centre-backs
Dundee probably have the strongest central defensive pairing in the division.
While the results haven’t quite been there in recent weeks, the displays of Ryan Sweeney and Lee Ashcroft have been impressive for some time now.
Partick Thistle was a let-down but the pair were solid once more at Cove.
Sweeney has grown into his role as captain as the campaign has worn on while Ashcroft continues to be an all-action defender, complete with Rambo-style headband on Saturday.
One thing missing from the two this term is a goal return, despite their strength in the air.
Sweeney has three while Ashcroft only had one before this strike. In Dundee’s last promotion season, the latter notched seven – including the goal that sealed their play-off win.
The second of that campaign didn’t come until March 19, however. History couldn’t repeat, could it?
Table
How quickly things change in the Championship.
It was all doom and gloom at Dens Park after a draw and two defeats in the last three games allowed Queen’s Park to open up a four-point lead.
Just a few days later and it is back to two points, within touching distance once more.
This title race is not going to be like Manchester City v Liverpool in recent seasons where both sides just relentlessly win week after week.
Hiccups will continue, that’s just the nature of the division.
But it’s not just a two-horse race either – Partick Thistle’s form under Kris Doolan has them coming up on the outside.
Ayr and Morton are a bit behind but play each other on Tuesday and it would be foolish to rule out either in this promotion chase.
On top of that, those two, Queen’s Park and Partick Thistle all play before Dundee’s next game.
In fact, Ton play three games before the Dark Blues travel to Firhill in a fortnight’s time.
Bowyer said on Saturday he expects the title race to go to the wire – it’s difficult to argue with that assessment.
But it’s up to him and his team to ensure they have their noses in front at the finish line.
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