Dundee secured a precious three points in their fight to ensure their Premiership safety with this dramatic 2-1 win over Tayside rivals St Johnstone at Dens.
The Perth side were missing a whole host of first-team regulars and had little but pride to play for but they gave as good as they got throughout and looked to have snatched a draw with just five minutes remaining.
However, Dundee bounced straight back to net what proved to be the winner to the delight – and relief – of the home fans.
The build-up to the match had been overshadowed by the lingering hangover from the last time the sides met at the same venue in March with home boss Neil McCann banned from the dug-out as he served his one-match suspension.
Saints boss Tommy Wright responded to his “warm” welcome from the home fans with a cheery wave as he walked out before kick-off.
However, the Perth manager was not so happy just 46 seconds after kick-off as Dundee’s Sofien Moussa opened the scoring.
Dundee failed to fully capitalise on that great start with Saints having the better of the rest of the half with chances for Steven Anderson, Chris Millar and Matty Willock although the Dark Blues came agonisingly close to making it two in the 44th minute when Simon Murray shot just inches past Zander Clark’s post.
The Saints keeper had to make a smart save from the Dundee striker at his near post in the 57th minute.
The Perth side then hit the woodwork as skipper Joe Shaughnessy smashed a superb acrobatic volley off the Dundee crossbar.
Clark was tested again by Murray this time from a 22-yard free-kick with the keeper producing a fine diving save.
With just a one-goal advantage, Dundee nerves were jangling and McCann’s men were dealt a hammer blow in the 85th minute when Steven MacLean clinically equalised with a low shot past home keeper Elliott Parish.
However, just three minutes later, Cammy Kerr sent a deep free-kick into the Saints box with Moussa sending a towering header past Clark for a sensational winner.
