Dundee 1-0 Livingston: Luke McCowan strike proves difference at Dens
- Published
Sean Kelly was sent off, before the decision was overturned. However, Dundee scored the decisive goal from the resultant free kick
A stunning Luke McCowan strike made the difference as Dundee beat Livingston 1-0 to move back into the Scottish Premiership's top six.
The home side were looking to bounce back after a 5-0 midweek loss to Rangers, while the visitors had been on a run three straight defeats.
Chances were few and far between in a cagey first half, which did improve as the interval approached.
Livingston had the best of them when Joel Nouble got on the end of a James Penrice ball, only to blaze his volleyed effort over.
Dundee's best chance saw Rickie Lamie head just wide, while they were also foiled by a wonderful Jason Holt back-post intervention to deny the onrushing Owen Beck.
Livingston were initially reduced to 10 men at the start of the second half, when Sean Kelly was shown a red card for a challenge on Zak Rudden - but the sanction was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR check.
However, Dundee scored from the resultant free kick, McCowan curling in a stunning strike from 25 yards in to the top corner to break the deadlock.
The host had their tails up at this stage, and had chances to increase their lead, with Zach Robinson and Joe Shaughnessy both going close.
Livingston pushed for an equaliser as full time approached, and they went agonisingly close to getting it when Michael Nottingham headed just wide with the goal at his mercy.
In added time, Dundee keeper Trevor Carson produced a stunning reflex save to tip a deflected Bruce Anderson shot around the post.
The result leaves Livingston second bottom of the Premiership, just three points above St Johnstone, who have two games in hand.
Player of the match - Luke McCowan (Dundee)
You always felt he would create something every time he was on the ball, and his goal was worth the admission money in itself.
Quality shines through for Dundee - analysis
Dundee manager Tony Docherty will he been very satisfied with the character his players showed to bounce back from their midweek thrashing at the hands of Rangers.
His side have plenty of character, but they also have plenty of quality too.
Several players in their ranks - McCowan, Beck and Cameron being the obvious picks - can open teams up and make the difference in tight encounters like this one.
Dundee are back in the top six, and with those qualities, you wouldn't bet against them staying there.
The season is still in its relative infancy, but that is now four defeats in a row for Livingston. In fact, they have won just one of their last nine league games.
Unsurprisingly, given those numbers, they remain precariously placed second bottom of the table.
And while there will be no panic stations just yet, the West Lothian side know they must somehow turn that form around, otherwise it is going to be a very long season.
What they said
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "We displayed a real resilience, a togetherness, which doesn't surprise me. We've shown that in abundance this season. The clean sheet is particularly pleasing. Huge credit to the players after a difficult night on Wednesday.
"I'm happy with the points tally. If I'm greedy, there could be more, but every manager could say that. There is no patting on the back now, though.
"We'll enjoy looking at the table tonight but we'll dust ourselves down and get ready for St Mirren next week."
Livingston manager David Martindale: "The boys were unlucky not to take something from the game. They're gutted. I'm in there, and I can't be overly harsh on them, I feel for them they gave my everything I asked for.
"This is what happens at a club our size, we have no divine right to win a game of football.
"This is a fairly consistent pattern, not one that I like going through, but one I am very familiar with and I have plenty of experience in my 10 years at Livingston of going through."
What's next?
Dundee are back in Premiership action at home to St Mirren next Saturday (15:00 GMT), while Livingston host Rangers the following day (12:00).