The Dark Blues breathed new life into their title challenge on Saturday by posting their most emphatic win of the league campaign so far against relegation-threatened Ayr.
Two goals from recalled striker Colin McMenamin as well as a Beckham-like free-kick from Sean Higgins secured all three points for Gordon Chisholm’s side.
The afternoon could have been so much better had Raith not conceded a late, late goal against Inverness which ensured the Highland league leaders maintained their four-point cushion over Dundee at the top of the table.
However, on-loan Rangers midfielder Andrew Shinnie preferred to concentrate on the Dark Blues and not what was happening elsewhere.
“It was a good game and the boys played really well,” said Shinnie.
“That’s the sort of standard we can perform at but I am not sure what has been happening lately.Self-belief”We have been going through a bad spell and were suffering from a lack of self-belief. But the new management has been drilling it into us to be confident and to begin games really well.
“The manager and Doddsy have got us geed up.
“We have had a few bad results but we knew one win would give us a massive boost and hopefully we can now go on an unbeaten run until the end of the season.
“I am just happy to be playing for a side trying to win the league, and if you cannot handle the pressure then you should not be here.
“If we had not won against Ayr it would have been a huge blow so we were delighted to get the three points, although Caley did win.
“The crowd made a big noise when Raith equalised in Inverness but as a player you are just focusing on the game, not what is happening in other matches.
“We only found out the final score when we got back in the dressing room.
“It was disappointing but we just have to keep concentrating on our own games and I am sure there will be a few twists and turns before the end of the season.”DemandedIn the build-up to the game, Chisholm had demanded that his players started at a high tempo, and they certainly delivered with Shinnie forcing former Dundee goalie Craig Samson to palm his shot over the bar with just seven minutes on the clock.
Two minutes later, Dundee made the breakthrough which calmed any nerves in their ranks and the majority of the 4270 supporters inside the ground.
Man-of-the-match Brian Kerr threaded an inch-perfect long pass from inside his own half to the feet of McMenamin, who held off the challenge of defender Martyn Campbell before firing the ball diagonally past Samson and into the net.
Twelve minutes later, Dundee doubled their lead after a great Shinnie run was illegally halted just outside the Ayr penalty area.
Higgins stepped up to fire a dazzling free-kick from 22 yards over the Ayr wall and into the top-left corner of Samson’s net.
By now, Dundee’s confidence was sky high and it seemed only a matter of time before they would extend their lead further.
Just after the half-hour mark, Gary Harkins shimmied past a couple of defenders and hit a shot which clipped the crossbar.
Harkins came out for the second half but only lasted three minutes before having to hobble off.FearingWith Leigh Griffiths in the stands suspended, Dundee fans could have been forgiven for fearing their side would struggle for the rest of the game without their two stars, but those worries were dispelled on the hour mark.
A long throw from the right was flicked on by Craig McKeown towards McMenamin and the striker made no mistake with his own header from close range to double his tally.
A short while later, the biggest cheer of the day came when recalled centre-half Jim Lauchlan produced an unbelievable piece of trickery down the left wing which took him past two Ayr players.
Lauchlan was singled out by Chisholm.
“The players gave us absolutely everything and we cannot ask for any more,” he said.
“I thought we were a lot more positive and, overall, the players were excellent.
“The lads’ confidence has taken a bit of a knock recently and hopefully that win will have restored their self-belief.Outstanding”It was disappointing when we found out Inverness had won so late but we just have to keep going and try to win the five games we have left.
“I am not one to single out individuals but I thought Lauchy coming back in was outstanding.
“However, I have had wee word with him saying the last thing I want to see is my centre-half dribbling down the wing.”
His counterpart Brian Reid said, “We are very disappointed with the performance. We made it very easy for Dundee. We were very poor today from the first to the last kick.
“We lacked a bit of fight and looked lethargic which is unacceptable.
“We now have a massive game at home on Wednesday against Raith Rovers and we need to pick ourselves up for that.”