The home side were fortunate to take an early lead thanks to a wicked deflection but they soon added to it and our chance of an unlikely comeback disappeared with Ojamaa’s dismissal shortly before the break.
Thomas and Carswell started the game as Dundee kicked off on a cold, windy afternoon punctuated by snow flurries. They were given a flying start when a shot from Harris outside the box flew off McManus after only three minutes. The ‘keeper was wrong-footed and the ball flew into the unguarded half of the goal.
Thomas offered some resistance and his direct run from the left ended with an inviting low cross through the six yard box but there were no takers. We conceded the second to Stewart as his powerful effort crashed into the net off the bar. (Correction - the shot came off Twardzik, struck the post and he headed the rebound into the net) It was a horrible start but there was a hint of a revival on the 20 minute mark when our only well constructed move of the match was rewarded with a goal. Ojamaa supplied Law who had advanced from the right back position. Sutton was on hand to convert the cross and it appeared that we were back in the game.
Twardzik became hero and villain in the following 15 minutes. He produced a few excellent saves and seemed on top form but one careless moment cost dear. He rose to collect a corner from his left and seemed to be in control but the ball escaped from his grasp to be thudded into goal by Irvine.
A minute before half time Ojamaa got into a needless tangle with Thomson at the half way line. An elbow was thrown and it was followed by a red card. The Estonian trooped off and with him went any chance of us scraping a point. The ban that will follow may see out his remaining loan spell.
We adjusted to the nine man outfield setup after the break but failed to trouble Bain in the Dundee goal. Hartley raised a few eyebrows with a three man substitution ten minutes into the second period and Baraclough responded by replacing Erwin and Thomas th Erwin and Watt.
Traffic was all to our goal and our misery was complete when Twardzik and O’Brien got into a mess that ended with the defender back heeling the ball over the line. Some stout defending was needed to keep the score at 4-1but despite many opportunities Dundee failed to add to their tally.
The need for new blood before the transfer window closes is crucial. There was nothing on show today to suggest thaty we are capable of climbing the table. At best we’ll have to rely on continuing bad form from the Paisley and Dingwall sides,
Dundee 4 Motherwell 1
Attendance 5,105
Team: Twardzik, Reid, Carswell, McManus, Ainsworth (Erwin 58), Sutton (Cadden 76), Lasley, O’Brien, Law, Ojamaa, Thomas (Watt 58)