Highlights: Motherwell 2-1 Dundee

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

Defender Dan Casey scored twice as Motherwell won for the first time in eight matches to beat freefalling Dundee on new boss Michael Wimmer's home debut.

The visitors' fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership defeat leaves them four points from safety and just three points off bottom spot.

Casey's first came after 12 minutes when he bulleted in a header from an Andy Halliday corner.

The Irishman was left completely unmarked in the box and should have added a near identical goal just a few minutes later from another set-piece.

Tony Docherty's side struggled to compete in the first half, but a change of formation allowed them greater control in the second period.

They equalised with 11 minutes to play when Simon Murray tapped in his 15th goal of the season, but the game was not level for long.

Motherwell restored their lead six minutes later with centre back Casey volleying in from Harry Paton's cross to complete an unlikely double.

Narrow margins change Fir Park outlook

When Stuart Kettlewell quit as Motherwell boss, he left his side in fifth place.

A tumultuous transition period then shifted focus from a potential European finish to league survival.

And had Wimmer's side lost against Dundee, they would have been just one point off the relegation play-off spot. Instead, they are within one victory of top six.

Not only does this win brings them closer to the top half than to that dreaded 11th spot, but the manner of the performance should revitalise both the players and the Fir Park fans.

Five games until the league splits, and three of those are at home for Motherwell.

Worrying times for struggling Dundee

Dundee are in trouble. They have been unlucky in some defeats recently but not in this one.

It took until Cameron's equaliser for the visitors register a shot on target and they never really looked to threaten Ellery Balcombe's goal.

There are goals in Dundee's attack - Murray has 15 this season and netted 23 last campaign; Lyall Cameron boasts 10 from midfield; and Seb Palmer-Holden has found the net nine times.

But providing service to these forward players seems to be the real issue.

With bottom club St Johnstone beating Ross County, Dundee must know they are in a relegation dogfight.

What they said

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "I'm very proud of the guys.

"I think it was a brilliant first half. In the second half, we saw a little bit of a lack of energy and dropped too deep. But it was a fantastic win from everyone together."

Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I thought we should've got at least a point. The performance in the second half was good enough.

"We had numerous chances. We were, by a long shot, the better team in the second half. If we continue to put in that level of performance then we'll be okay."

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