Dumbarton 0-1 Dundee: Leigh Griffiths' penalty enough for visitors in Scottish Cup
- Published
Leigh Griffiths scored his third goal of the season to send Dundee through
Leigh Griffiths' second-half penalty proved decisive against a stubborn Dumbarton side that contributed to their own downfall in the Scottish Cup.
Ross MacLean lashed out at Dundee defender Cammy Kerr just before half-time as the home side waited to send a free-kick into the box, resulting in a straight red card.
Dundee capitalised when Joe Mckee handled Max Anderson's cut-back allowed Griffiths to net from the spot and set up a last-16 trip to face League 1 side Peterhead on February 12/13.
It was a much-needed positive result for James McPake's side after their Premiership struggles in a tie that proved sticky but rarely threatened an upset.
With experienced trio Charlie Adam, Griffiths and Paul McMullan starting on the bench, Dundee were first to threaten through Ryan Sweeney's angled header wide from close range. He really ought to have hit the target.
Jordan McGhee went close with a long-range effort Ramsbottom tipped over but for all their possession and territory, Dundee were not exactly peppering the opposition goals with efforts.
Any genuine hope of a cup shock diminished when MacLean let the red mist get the better of him and he left his team-mates a man short for the second half.
To their credit, Dumbarton hung in but when Griffiths squeezed the ball home from the spot there was only one likely winner.
The visitors had chances to end the contest, with Kerr and Griffiths going close, but they will simply be content to get through the tie.
Dundee manager James McPake: "Coming here is very difficult. Conditions were tough for both teams. We should and could have been out of sight in the first half.
"You've just got to find a way to win. Thankfully, today we found that way to win. The confidence of winning is great."
Dumbarton manager Stevie Farrell: "Proud but disappointed. When it was 11 v 11, I thought we were really in the match. On the red card, I've not seen it. The referee said it happened in the middle area of the body.
"The penalty - if that's a penalty, then the one in the last minute for us is too. Conner Duthie is adamant the ball is still in play and if it's still in play the Dundee defender has his hands in an unnatural position, it has hit his hands and it's a penalty."