Motherwell 1-1 Dundee

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Dundee hit the woodwork three times as they drew away to Motherwell.

The visitors wore black armbands in tribute to manager Neil McCann's father who passed away hours before the game.

Sofien Moussa headed off the bar before Paul McGowan hit a stunning opener from outside the box, then hit the woodwork a minute later.

Craig Tanner equalised for Motherwell from the penalty spot, but Josh Meekings twice went close to a winning goal with late headers.

Motherwell had dropped to eighth in the table prior to kick off because Kilmarnock's victory over Rangers saw the Ayrshire side leapfrog them.

Fresh from scoring twice last weekend against Partick Thistle, Moussa showed he was keen to add to his tally with two early headers; one hitting the crossbar.

Both sets of players deserve credit for the way they handled the difficult windy conditions showing a determination to get the ball on the ground and play.

Tanner had the home side's first effort, but his left-foot strike was straight at Dundee goalkeeper Elliott Parish.

It was the Dens Park side that were posing the biggest threat. A-jay Leitch-Smith had a shot well blocked by the sliding challenge of Gael Bigirimana to turn it behind, then Meekings headed over.

A sweeping move by the home side saw Peter Hartley, Bigirimana and Carl McHugh all involved before Tanner released Chris Cadden at the right edge of the box, but his driven cross swirled just wide of the back post.

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Motherwell's Craig Tanner celebrates after making it 1-1

Dundee made the breakthrough with a terrific 25-yard strike from McGowan which flew past Carson.

McGowan came close to doubling Dundee's lead a few minutes later from a similar position, but this time he produced a chipped effort which struck the junction of post and bar.

Motherwell's Liam Grimshaw effort was parried by Parish before George Newell's head flick was saved.

Stephen Robinson introduced Elliott Frear, then saw the Motherwell winger tweak his hamstring within minutes.

Andy Rose can feel aggrieved as he was booked for diving by referee Don Robertson when it looked as though he had been fouled just outside the penalty box.

However, Tanner equalised from the penalty spot after Mark O'Hara fouled Cedric Kipre as he tried to clear a bouncing ball.

The former Reading player came close again with a 25-yard free-kick which Parish managed to catch at the second attempt.

Dundee were still creating chances though and after Cammy Kerr fired a shot wide, Meekings got his head on a Scott Allan free kick but his effort came back off the 'keeper's right hand post.

Allan then sent a header just wide from a Kerr cross from the right before Carson produced a tremendous save to deny Meekings' header earning the visitors a winner.

Motherwell are now seven games without a win while Dundee are now unbeaten on their last four visits to Fir Park.

Post-match reaction

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson: "You bring Elliott Frear on to change the game, we thought we needed a bit more impetus in the final third. Then after two minutes he tweaks his hamstring again so we had to take him off to protect him.

"He hobbled about for 10 minutes but credit to the boys that were on the pitch the desire they showed to stay in the game and get a result out of it.

"We scored when we had 10 men on the pitch as well so it's a really good point considering the things that went against us today.

"I thought we started a little bit scrappy and nervous then after 15 minutes we started dominating the game but we did lack an invention in that final third."

Dundee manager Neil McCann: "I'm disappointed not to win the game I thought we were by a distance the better side and you could see that Stevie (Robinson) made some subs, obviously some of those boys are coming back from injury and maybe just weren't up to tempo, but we moved it well and we asked questions of Motherwell.

"I think we were forceful in or play going forward and I do believe we deserved more from the game.

"But I'm not going to be too hard on them because coming from last Tuesday at Hearts I questioned their application, but I think in the last two games anyone who's watched us would sit back and say 'Dundee are a good side, but they're prepared too work for each other as well' and that's what I've been searching for.

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