Dundee moved themselves joint top of Group C in the SPFL Betfred Cup thanks to goals in either half from Faissal El Bakhtaoui and Sofien Moussa to sink Highland League champions Buckie Thistle at Dens Park.
Neil McCann’s men made heavy weather of securing their second consecutive victory in the competition and despite El Bakhtaoui’s first-half opener, victory was only clinched by Moussa’s late goal as visiting keeper Danny Bell denied them on a series of occasions.
The Dark Blues now sit on the same points as city rivals Dundee United as they prepare to head next for Cowdenbeath on Wednesday, while Graeme Stewart’s part-time Buckie remain rooted at the foot of the table.
Dundee were fresh from their 2-1 opening win over Raith Rovers in midweek and handed Moussa his first start after the forward climbed off the bench to score late on against Raith.
And, 12 minutes in, Moussa had a goal disallowed after Roarie Deacon raced down the left and crossed into the box, with the Tunisian adjudged to be offside as he stroked the ball past Bell.
Midway through the first half, though, the Premiership side went ahead in spectacular style. El Bakhtaoui picked up possession 30 yards from goal and danced past a couple of Buckie challenges before sending an unstoppable strike high into the corner of Bell’s net.
The second half started with El Bakhtaoui seeing his hooked left-foot shot being clawed away by Bell as it looked destined for the top corner.
But Buckie wasted a glorious chance to equalise on 67 minutes. Ceiran McLean set Steven Ross free and he beat the offside trap only to drag his shot wide of Scott Bain’s far post.
They were made to pay for that miss in the 85th minute when Moussa struck with a low finish after substitute Scott Allan’s shot had been parried.
