Dundee made two changes from the team that played Rangers last week. In attack Zach Robinson came in for Zak Rudden, who was on the bench. Owen Beck was fit and came back in at left wing back replacing Aaron Donnelly, who moved infield to take the place of the injured Antonio Portales in a central defensive role.
Ross County came close on 9 seconds when they tried to chip Carson from the half way line, both teams tried to score in the first 20 minutes with County going close twice. Thanks to Jordon McGhee who blocked a header at the back post and then stopped a certain goal when he cleared off the line.
Dundee played some nice football but failed to give the strikers a decent clear chance as the first half came to a end with Murray forcing Carson into a good save.
Dundee threatened at the start of the second half. A neat passing move allowed Owen Beck to send Zach Robinson into the penalty area but his shot was blocked. County then had a dangerous few minutes with fast attacks down the left. They made a hash of trying to finish off the first two moves, but it took a fine tackle by Ricki Lamie to clear in the next attack.
Murray went close again with a header but missed the target, then Bakayoko came close when he headed over from Beck’s wicked inswinging corner.
Josh Mulligan and Mo Sylla came on for Lyall Cameron and Malachi Boateng and gave the Dark Blues a greater physical presence in the midfield and that proved crucial in the frantic closing minutes. Zak Rudden then replaced Zah Robinson.
County then had a wee bit more play and went close to scoring but Trevor Carson made a double save to deny them.
Six minutes of injury time were announced and Dundee went for the win. They had more control than County with their late attacks. Owen Beck almost scored a magnificent goal when he picked up a clearance from his corner. He dribbled into the penalty area, beating three men before his shot was cleared off the line.
At the end of those six added minutes Beck was fouled a yard outside the penalty area, in a perfect position for Luke McCowan. The midfielder duly took the kick and it was a beauty. He whipped his shot over the wall and off the post. The rebound cannoned back into the crowded goalmouth, off a defender and Joe Shaughnessy chested the ball into the back of the net.
Dundee fans went wild at the end and they deserve that they have been first class this season and backed the team. I missed the game due to Christmas shifts which were changed so l had to work,
At least l get to the Aberdeen game next Saturday at Dens.
Massive win and three vital points for the club.
Dundee: Carson, Shaughnessy (c), Lamie, Donnelly, McGhee, Cameron (Mulligan 61), Boateng (Sylla 61), McCowan, Beck, Bakayoko (Reilly 90), Robinson (Rudden 75). Unused Subs: Legzdins (gk), Kerr, Tiffoney, Robertson, Howley.
Referee: Colin Steven
Att: 4,014
