Dundee made three changes to the team with McDaid, Ness and Byrne replaying Roberton and Johnson while Mackie was out injured.
Motherwell started the better in the first 15 minutes, but keeper Hamilton only had one save to make. Dundee came into the game and McDaid was unlucky with a shot. A minute later and the visitors took the lead when Long scored from a free kick it took a big deflection from Dorrans.
Dundee tried to come back and Motherwell broke to get a second goal again Long scored with a curling shot which gave Hamilton no chance. That was the score at half time. Dundee made a change with Ross Callaghan came on for Jamie Ness to make his debut.
Dundee started well and Hemmings hit the bar with a header. Kerr and McDaid had decent efforts but with 10 minutes to go Jack Hamilton made a mess from Long's effort e managed to fumble the ball into the net for the striker to get his hat-trick.
So another year with out a Scottish Cup run which our record in the last 15 years or so is pretty grim reading. The crowd last night is likely the worse l have seen in near 40 years of going to Dens.
Next up is Dunfermline on Friday which now is a massive game we must win to have any chance of getting our season going again.
Dundee: Hamilton, Kerr, Meekings (c), McGhee, Marshall, Ness (Callachan at half time), Byrne (Johnson 66), McGowan (Cameron 76), Dorrans, McDaid, Hemmings. Unused Subs: Ferrie, Forster, Robertson, Strachan.
Att: 2,407
Ref: Steven McLean
Dundee fielded the same team as the previous three games, and looked to close the gap on Inverness CT. They struggled from the start and looked too slow in midfield. Not a lot happened in the first 15 minutes.
However the visitors scored on 17 minutes when Rooney was able to find plenty space on the right and he found Doran who smashed the ball home from 12 yards. It was a poor goal to lose and Dundee will now have to chase the game.
Six minutes later Caley Thistle broke away to score again, Dundee failed to work a short corner, and CT broke with Keatings netting a fine strike. Another poor goal to lose and basically finished the game as a contest. Dundee continued to struggled badly for the rest of the half.
Second half and sadly it was not much better with Inverness happy to sit in and soak up any Dundee pressure. McGhee had two decent efforts and a Johnson header was touched over the bar by the keeper.
Jordan Marshall went close near the end but really Dundee got what their play deserved which was No Points...It was a big chance today to close the gap for second place and they blew big style.
There is no atmosphere at Dens these days and it's a worry with big games coming up in the next few weeks.
Dundee: Hamilton, Kerr, Meekings , McGhee, Marshall, McGowan, Dorrans, Robertson, Mackie (Todd 61), Hemmings, Johnson (Cunningham 84) Unused Subs: Ferrie, Forster, Byrne, Moore, Cameron.
In Dundee's last game of the year they went just down the road to face city rivals United. Manager James McPake put out a unchanged side which won at Firhill last Saturday.
United scored on their first attack they got down the left side with the Dundee defence caught out. Harkes cross was flicked past the helpless Jack Hamilton by Clark to give the home side the lead.
Dundee struggled the first fifteen minutes to get forward, but soon after McGowan was unlucky when his shot was deflected for a corner. United had a couple of half chances but Hamilton saved with ease. Dundee came out the second half in a totally different mood and it took them only five minutes to level. Johnson and Hemmings cross was headed out to Graham Dorrans to smash the ball home after taking a delightful touch to set it up. It was his first goal for the club and what a strike.
This settled Dundee and minutes later Johnson hit one just off target, United were not in the game much as Dundee played some decent football. The final fifteen minutes was all Dundee but they could not grab a winner.
A good point for Dundee which they fully deserved the players worked their socks off , and it was pleasing to see.
Dundee: Hamilton, Kerr, Meekings (c), McGhee, Marshall, McGowan, Dorrans, Robertson, Mackie, Hemmings, Johnson (Nelson 61) Unused Subs: Ferrie , Forster, Todd, Byrne, Moore, Mulligan.
Att:14,007
Ref: Alan Muir
I could only watch the game on TV due to my work. The shifts this year have been pretty brutal for my football. I have had to work the last three weekend, and longer shifts during the week. I look forward to seeing Dundee early in 2020.
