Team news Rhys Weston misses out due to a hamstring injury, Neil McGregor comes along withKyle Benedictus with Gary Irvine moving into midfield. Stephen O'Donnell is captain today.
Dundee started well and created a few chances and could have had a penalty when Milne looked to be fouled. Stephen O'Donnell picked up a yellow card for a wild kind of tackle. But worse was to follow when he got sent off for leading with his elbow, it did look a bit harsh as the Raith defender got up as soon as the yellow card came out of the ref's pocket. Manager Barry Smith took Conroy off with Ross Chisholm coming on. Savo Milne was pushed wide on the left.
This did help the home team and they pushed Dundee back and Rab Douglas had to cracking saves to deny the fife men. It ended 0-0 at half time so it will give Dundee time to sort things out.
Second half and Matt Lockwood did not appear replaced by Jamie McCluskey, with Irvine moving back to full back. The defence looked solid and Neil McGregor had a fine game making some great blocks. Rovers kind of ran out of ideas with just long hopeful punts into the box. Dundee didn't create much either and Riley did get clear to set up Bayne but the striker was too slow to react.
But with 4 minutes to go good wing play from Riley who won a corner taken by McCluskey the ball fell on the edge of the box for Nicky Riley who beat his man to score with a powerful drive to leave the Rovers keeper helpless to spark wild celebrating on the pitch and in the away stand. Dundee held on with ease to collect the three very vital points.
Dundee: Douglas, Irvine, Lockwood, O'Donnell, McKeown, McGregor, Riley, Benedictus, Bayne, Milne, Conroy. Subs: Chisholm, McCluskey, Hyde, McIntosh, Gibson.
Att: 2, 459
Ref: C. Allan
