Match ends, Motherwell 3, Dundee 1.
MotherwellMotherwell3DundeeDundee1
Motherwell won at home for the first time in Mark McGhee's second spell in charge, and their first since the end of September.
Scott McDonald and Louis Moult both found the net in the first half, McDonald sliding the ball past Scott Bain while Moult supplied the decisive header to convert Josh Law's corner.
Substitute Gary Harkins' goal inspired Dundee in their bid to fight back.
But in the end Stephen Pearson's late goal put victory beyond doubt.
Dundee remain without a win since they beat Motherwell at Dens Park at the start of October, and they were behind after only five minutes.
Motherwell's opening goal owed everything to the understanding between Pearson and McDonald. Pearson at the edge of the box timed his through-pass well to allow McDonald to slip by the Dundee defence.
Without breaking stride he slid the ball beyond goalkeeper Bain, leaving the Dundee defence to appeal unsuccessfully for offside.
McDonald turned supplier to set-up Pearson, but his shot was turned away for a corner by Bain. Two minutes later Moult hit the post with a header.
But he only had to wait two more minutes to score, deftly angling his header in at the post from Law's corner.
Dundee had been looking for a fifth straight win against Motherwell but they found the Motherwell back four resolute, with debutant Ben Hall looking composed alongside Stephen McManus.
The visitors introduced Harkins into the action and they were quickly rewarded when he converted Kane Hemmings' low cross; the shot taking a slight deflection to beat goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
The game opened up as Motherwell sought a third goal, while Dundee looked sharper in their search for an equaliser.
Greg Stewart was best placed twice for Dundee, but his normally reliable finishing skills deserted him.
The game was settled as a contest when Pearson scored from close range, scoring from a tight angle in stoppage time.
Line-ups
Motherwell
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Ripley
- 18Law
- 32Hall
- 6McManus
- 3Hammell
- 4Grimshaw
- 14Lasley
- 8Pearson
- 11JohnsonSubstituted forClarksonat 83'minutes
- 77McDonaldBooked at 60minsSubstituted forAinsworthat 63'minutes
- 20MoultSubstituted forMackinat 90+3'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Ainsworth
- 13Samson
- 16Kennedy
- 19Clarkson
- 23Thomas
- 28Watt
- 29Mackin
Dundee
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Bain
- 19McGinn
- 5McPake
- 16EtxabegurenSubstituted forKonradat 42'minutes
- 2IrvineBooked at 57mins
- 8LowSubstituted forCalderat 64'minutes
- 10Thomson
- 7Stewart
- 18McGowanBooked at 67mins
- 9LoySubstituted forHarkinsat 58'minutes
- 15Hemmings
Substitutes
- 3Holt
- 4Konrad
- 12Mitchell
- 17Ross
- 20Calder
- 26Gadzhalov
- 29Harkins
- Referee:
- Euan Anderson
- Attendance:
- 3,512
Match Stats
Home TeamMotherwellAway TeamDundee
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away4
- Corners
- Home7
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 3, Dundee 1.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. Dylan Mackin replaces Louis Moult.
Goal!
Goal! Motherwell 3, Dundee 1. Stephen Pearson (Motherwell) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner. Assisted by Louis Moult.
Post update
Attempt saved. Gary Harkins (Dundee) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Gary Harkins (Dundee).
Post update
Louis Moult (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Paul McGowan (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Stephen Pearson (Motherwell).
Post update
Attempt missed. Louis Moult (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Foul by Gary Irvine (Dundee).
Post update
Lionel Ainsworth (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Thomas Konrad (Dundee).
Post update
Louis Moult (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Gary Harkins (Dundee).
Post update
Ben Hall (Motherwell) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Motherwell. David Clarkson replaces Marvin Johnson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Riccardo Calder (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Gary Harkins.
Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Law (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
