Dundee secured their first Premiership away win of the season with this comprehensive victory over Ross County in the Highlands.
Goal machine Mark O’Hara opened the scoring with an absolute cracker and then late in the second half, Faissal El Bakhtaoui made it two with another finish straight out of the top drawer.
Dundee boss Neil McCann made just one change from the team that beat Rangers 2-1 at Dens last Friday night.
Marcus Haber who had to come off during that game with a back problem was on the bench with Tunisian striker Sofien Moussa being drafted in up front.
Ross County manager Owen Coyle handed former Manchester United player Chris Eagles his debut for the Staggies.
Dundee were quick out of the blocks with Roarie Deacon trying his luck from 20 yards with a ferocious drive that flew just over the Staggies bar.
However, the Dark Blues took the lead in the 18th minute – and what a goal it was.
O’Hara, who had scored two against Rangers, continued from where he left off against the Glasgow side, controlling the ball before advancing and thumping an unstoppable shot from nearly 25 yards past the helpless County keeper Aaron McCarey.
McCann’s men then came close to extending their lead in the 33rd minute in bizarre circumstances when Bakhtaoui swung a cross in from wide right with the ball bouncing off the top of McCarey’s bar.
Dundee though headed down the tunnel holding a slender but comfortable one-goal advantage.
County had a big scare in the 53rd minute when McCarey spilled an El Bakhtaoui shot but no Dundee player could take advantage.
Shortly after, the Dark Blues came mighty close to making it 2-0 when Jon Aurtenetxe sent a free-kick into the home box with Josh Meekings stooping low to head just wide of McCarey’s left-hand post.
O’Hara had another pop in the 63rd minute from the edge of the County box but this time, his shot flew straight into McCarey’s arms.
The Staggies then had a chance of their own when sub Billy McKay sent a header onto the roof of the Dundee net.
El Bakhtaoui had another attempt from 20 yards in the 78th minute with McCarey diving to palm the shot away to safety.
However, the same Dundee player made no mistake in the 89th minute.
A County attack broke down with Glen Kamara sending a superb, long pass to El Bakhtaoui who kept his cool to lob McCarey from the edge of his box to make it two and seal all three points for his side to the absolute delight of the vocal travelling support.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.
