DUNDEE still require somewhat of a miracle to escape direct relegation, but they started an improbable resistance from the drop with a crucial victory over Hibs.
Mark McGhee’s side cut the gap at the bottom to three points behind relegation rivals St Johnstone – but the Perth side could regain that gap and condemn Dundee to the automatic drop tonight.
Should St Johnstone even take one point from their final two matches it’d be enough to steer them clear of automatic relegation, but for Dundee while it’s not mathematically over, there’s hope.
McGhee’s side were winless on league duty since a February victory over Hearts heading into the must-win Dens Park fixture. But when it was all or nothing, Dundee found a way to prolong the battle at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
You could feel an air of nervousness among the 5000-strong Dundee support ahead of kick-off and after a rollercoaster 90 minutes and moments of elation and dread, there was a faint belief at full-time that the seemingly impossible task of remaining in the top flight may become possible.
For managerless Hibs – led by David Gray - it was a night to forget as supporters appear to be desperate for the season to be over and a new boss appointed.
Dundee were immediately on the front-foot and showed their intentions to take their survival bid to a final day. And after just three minutes they were rewarded with an early opener.
Jordan Marshall fired a ball into the feet of Zak Rudden on the edge of the area, the bustling striker took a stride before firing low forcing Matt Macey to parry clear. However, the rebound rolled straight into the path of Niall McGinn who made no mistake as he slotted home before racing back into position to get the game going again.
Hibs looked shellshocked at the pace at which the hosts started proceedings, but were jolted into life after conceding.
On nine minutes, the visitors looked set to go level when James Scott swivelled smartly in the box and shot but Harry Sharp was equal to it as his outstretched left leg prevented an equaliser.
The visitors continued to grow into the match, and by the half-hour they would be level. Scott again beat his man this time driving into the box and slotting under Sharp.
The pendulum would then swing back into the hosts favour as they desperately looked to go ahead again. Cammy Kerr had Macey scrambling as his deflected cross dipped just wide of the post before the break.
And then Josh Mulligan had a terrific header ruled out for offside as he powered home off the underside of the bar. In that moment it appeared it wasn’t to be, but Dundee rallied at the break to provide a performance to keep their Premiership status active.
It was home-grown talent Mulligan who would put Dundee back ahead, and this time there was no offside to spoil his celebrations. A Marshall cross found sub Luke McCowan who headed back across goal where Mulligan forced over the line after 67 minutes.
Dundee sensed an opportunity and went for a second. Charlie Adam’s cross found McGinn who head across the face where Mulligan again was on hand, but Harry Clarke headed off the line. Adam then tried again with a corner, this time going for goal and forcing Macey to scurry back to beat away from goal. In a frantic two-minute period, Rudden then had sight of goal but harmlessly shot wide.
The hosts would finally kill the contest four minutes from time as Adam hammered home a sensationally effort from 25-yards to spark wild celebrations.
All eyes will now turn to McDiarmid Park with St Johnstone looking to end Dundee’s miracle survival bid with even a point against Aberdeen tonight.
