Dundee failed to capitalise on last week’s morale-boosting first Premiership win of the season at Hamilton as they suffered a narrow defeat to Kilmarnock at Dens.
The visitors probably deserved their victory on balance of chances created but Dundee were mightily aggrieved that their winner came courtesy of a contentious penalty.
However, the stark fact is that the Dark Blues remain rooted to the bottom of the table and have yet to secure three Premiership points at home this season.
Dens boss Neil McCann made just one change from the side that beat Accies with Kenny Miller returning from a two-game suspension with Benjamin Kallman dropping to the bench.
Killie manager Steve Clarke included former Dundee favourite Greg Stewart in his starting line-up.
The home side got off to a great start, taking the lead in just the 10th minute when Killie failed to clear a cross with the ball falling for Adil Nabi and he took the chance with aplomb, rattling a low shot past the helpless visitors’ keeper Jamie MacDonald for his first goal for the Dark Blues.
However, Clark’s men equalised in fortuitous circumstances just seven minutes later when a Jordan Jones shot took a huge deflection off home defender Andy Boyle with the ball looping up and over Dundee goalie Elliott Parish and into the back of the net.
Killie had another great chance just before the half-hour mark but defender Scott Boyd could not keep his volleyed effort down and the ball flew over the bar.
Kilmarnock did though take the lead in the 55th minute when Jones tumbled in the home box and referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot. The home players were incensed by the decision, claiming a dive and that Cammy Kerr had made no contact.
Once the protests had been waved away, Eamonn Brophy calmly stepped up and dispatched the penalty just beyond the diving Parish.
Killie were then awarded another penalty in the 73rd minute when Calvin Miller barged into the back of Chris Burke. This time, with Brophy having been subbed earlier, Stewart took the spot-kick but Parish pulled off a great diving save to his left to deny the striker.
However, Dundee could not take advantage of that let-off with Killie securing all three points.
