Match ends, Dundee 1, Partick Thistle 0.
DundeeDundee1Partick ThistlePartick Thistle0
A stoppage-time winner from Paul McGowan lifted Dundee into the top half of the Premiership after a dour contest with Partick Thistle at Dens Park.
Gary Harkins waltzed his way into the penalty area to set up his team-mate for a tap-in at the back post.
The visitors were on top during the first 45 minutes, threatening from a series of set-pieces.
But it needed a good save from Jags keeper Scott Fox to keep out an Alex Harris free-kick before half-time.
Dundee move two points clear of Tayside rivals St Johnstone, having stretched their unbeaten league run to seven matches, while Thistle have now lost their last four outings.
Harkins' late demonstration of skill was the only real moment of magic in a flat afternoon from both sides.
Thistle got off to the brighter start and striker Lyle Taylor should have had them in front in six minutes, spinning to fire in a shot from 10 yard only to steer it wide.
Jim McAlister then had a great chance for Dundee latching on to a neat Harris through ball, but Fox was smartly off his line to block.
Thistle though were the livelier side and, after several half-chances, Callum Booth went close on when he powered a header over from a Stuart Bannigan corner.
On the stroke of half time Harris hit a powerful 25-yard free kick which seemed net-bound but Fox leapt to his right to turn the shot away.
The visiting goalkeeper did not reappear for the second half - with Paul Gallacher replacing his injured colleague, while Harkins was introduced after the interval along with Dark Blues team-mate Willie Dyer.
Paul Heffernan, making his debut for the hosts, flashed a shot wide after an hour but both sides were struggling to create clear-cut chances.
With the game seemingly petering out, Harkins suddenly burst into life, shuffling past two Thistle defenders on the left side of their box to square a pass for McGowan, who had the simple task to stab home from four yards.
Line-ups
Dundee
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12Bain
- 19McGinn
- 5McPake
- 26GadzhalovSubstituted forHarkinsat 45'minutes
- 2IrvineSubstituted forDyerat 46'minutes
- 4Konrad
- 48McGinn
- 47Harris
- 20McAlister
- 18McGowanBooked at 90mins
- 49HeffernanSubstituted forWightonat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Letheren
- 3Dyer
- 8McBride
- 16Clarkson
- 24Black
- 29Harkins
- 33Wighton
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1FoxSubstituted forGallacherat 45'minutes
- 2O'Donnell
- 6Balatoni
- 13Frans
- 5BoothBooked at 59mins
- 18Osman
- 8BanniganBooked at 6mins
- 28McDaid
- 22FraserSubstituted forStevensonat 74'minutes
- 14ElliottBooked at 90mins
- 29TaylorSubstituted forDoolanat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Craigen
- 9Doolan
- 10Stevenson
- 11Lawless
- 12Gallacher
- 15Higginbotham
- 21Richards-Everton
- Referee:
- Craig Thomson
- Attendance:
- 5,560
Match Stats
Home TeamDundeeAway TeamPartick Thistle
- Possession
- Home46%
- Away54%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away0
- Corners
- Home4
- Away10
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Dundee 1, Partick Thistle 0.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by James McPake.
Goal!
Goal! Dundee 1, Partick Thistle 0. Paul McGowan (Dundee) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Gary Harkins.
Booking
Christie Elliott (Partick Thistle) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Christie Elliott (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Jim McAlister (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Declan McDaid (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Thomas Konrad (Dundee) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Declan McDaid (Partick Thistle) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Post update
Stuart Bannigan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by Paul McGinn.
Post update
Foul by Callum Booth (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Craig Wighton (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by James McPake.
Post update
Corner, Partick Thistle. Conceded by James McPake.
Post update
Ryan Stevenson (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Thomas Konrad (Dundee).
Post update
Conrad Balatoni (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick on the right wing.
