Dundee geared up for the Dens derby against Dundee United with a satisfying win over Kendal Town thanks to a double from sub Leighton McIntosh.
While gaining match fitness was the priority, having won the first of their north of England double-header against Lancaster City on Saturday the Dark Blues were looking to keep the momentum going into Saturday’s clash with the Tangerines.
They did just that, with McIntosh finding the target with a header on 74 minutes and a close-range shot on 81.
Manager Barry Smith said: ”We maintained a good workrate for the 90 minutes so I’m pleased.
”We also played some good stuff. I would say there was a massive difference tonight from how we played on Saturday and pre-season is all about progressing game by game.”
Wednesday’s match kicked off in bright evening sunshine and there were a couple of dozen Dundee fans inside the Cosyseal Stadium to enjoy a rare glimpse of summer.
The Dark Blues had two trialists in their line-up defender Adam Watts and an unnamed left-sided midfielder.
New skipper Stephen O’Donnell kicked things off by testing Kendal keeper Josh Welsby with a well-struck set-piece from 25 yards.
On nine minutes home striker Mark Jackson had two chances in quick succession but Dundee keeper John Gibson did well to save the first then watched as the next effort flew wide.
John Baird then caused havoc in the Kendal defence before squaring to the trialist, who should have found the net with his shot but failed to.
Alex Randall sent a shot flying over the Dundee bar from a good position at the edge of the box, then there was a concern for the visitors as captain O’Donnell limped off to be replaced by Graham Webster with less than half-an-hour played.
Smith later revealed the substitution was precautionary and the player should be fine for Saturday.
The supposed friendly game turned nasty on 38 minutes when Dundee’s Iain Davidson and Kevin Leadbetter of Kendal clashed and their team-mates joined in the pushing and shoving. Both men somehow escaped punishment.
Jamie Reid came close to finding the net just before half-time but was thwarted by keeper Welsby.
Baird had the first serious chance of the second period when he shot over the bar, then on 57 minutes defender Declan Gallagher was upfield but his header was too high after he was found by a Webster cross.
Kendal sub Tom Kilifin looked certain to nick a goal on 73 minutes but Gibson did well to smother the ball and the Dark Blues made them pay for that miss soon after.
Baird swung over a terrific cross from the right and sub McIntosh, who was unmarked, jumped high into the air to direct a fine header into the net.
He staked his claim for a derby start by grabbing the second strike on 81 minutes, tapping home a Webster delivery.
The hard-working Baird came within a whisker of making it three as the final whistle loomed but Welsby did brilliantly to save his point-blank save.