Dundee started brightly enough, striker Bryan Deasley working his way into the Pars' penalty box only to be thwarted by a last-gasp challenge from Woods. The ball then broke to David O'Brien who got in his shot only to see it blocked by Greg Shields. Dunfermline, however, were robbed of the lead in the 13th minute.A Kevin Harper corner from the right was delivered into the path of Stephen Glass and the midfielder let fly with a left foot drive from 20 yards out which smacked off the post with former Celtic goalkeeper Rab Douglas beaten.Second later, Harper took another corner from the right, which was met perfectly by the boot of Glass and fairly whistled by the Douglas' left-hand post.Dunfermline were enjoying the majority of the play and there was a further anxious moment for Dundee's defence when Irish striker Andy Kirk's free kick just outside the box came off the Dens rearguard wall and quick-as-a-flash, Woods pounced only to see his net bound shot pushed away by Douglas.In a clever down on the right. Harper found Nicky Phinn and the midfielder sent in an inviting ball for Kirk, but it fell awkwardly and he could only drill his effort wide of the target.It was proving a hard day at the office for Dundee with Mickael Antoine-Curier and the smaller figure of Deasley unable to get the service required to trouble Dunfermline goalkeeper Paul Gallacher although the team were defending resolutely.The second half started with a thumping clash of heads involving Eddie Malone and Harper although, thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious.Dundee fans appealed for a penalty for handball after ex-Dunfermline player Freddie Daquin's corner came off Dunfermline skipper Scott Wilson, but referee Stevie O'Reilly was having none of it.On the hour mark, Dunfermline front man Graham Bayne knocked the ball down for Kirk but, under close scrutiny from Kyle Benedictus, his scrambled drive went over the top.The Fifers made their first change, Scott Muirhead coming on for Austin McCann, and the move almost paid instant dividends as a left foot drive from Kirk looked destined for the corner of the net until Douglas somehow got his hand to the ball. The home supporters were now sensing the all-important breakthrough although Dundee continued to stand firm against a determined attack.Then, in the 68th minute, Dunfermline were left reeling when Dundee hit them with a sucker-punch goal. Deasley threaded the ball through to Antoine-Curier who found himself in the clear and he made the most of the opportunity, running through before cooly slotting the ball past Gallacher. In fact Antoine-Curier should have made it 2-0 in injury time , when he rounded Gallagher in the pars goal, but was forced too wide and his pass was put wide by Bob Davidson. But a massive 3 points for the Dark Blues.. Dundee: Douglas, Paton, Malone, Williams, Benedictus, McKeown, Daquin, Posniak, Antoine-Curier, Deasley (Davidson 82), O'Brien. Subs Not Used: Lauchlan, Mearns, Gilhaney, Roy.
Booked: Paton.
Att: 3,506
Ref: S O'Reilly
Booked: Paton.
Att: 3,506
Ref: S O'Reilly
