Mullen helps Dens men settle a score

It was eighth time lucky for Dundee last night as they finally ended a miserable run of results against their tayside neighbours St Johnstone. Prior to last night’s game, the Dark Blues had lost all seven of their previous meetings with Saints, including two defeats already this season to Callum Davidson’s side.

However, James McPake’s men, in a buoyant frame of mind following a thumping 3-0 victory over Motherwell last weekend, took a grip of this contest from the start and secured all three points thanks to Danny Mullen’s third goal in three games.

‘It should have been more but I’ll take it,’ said Dundee boss McPake. ‘St Johnstone are a very good side — that’s the fourth time I’ve played Callum’s team and that’s the first time I’ve won.

‘We outfought them, which is one of their strengths, but they have good players and a very good coaching team.

‘tonight we were the better team and the better team won.

‘Big Zander Clark — every time we play against him he does my head in because he pulls off saves.

‘He’s been the difference before but it changed tonight and I’m delighted for my players.’

Not surprisingly, McPake made just one change from the team that comprehensively beat Motherwell at the weekend.

It was an enforced one with Liam Fontaine being drafted in at centre-half for Lee Ashcroft, who pulled his hamstring in the second half of the game with Motherwell.

Dundee’s on-loan Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths had to be content once more with a substitute role.

Saints boss Davidson made two changes following Saturday’s home defeat to Hibs with Cammy MacPherson and Chris Kane coming in for Lars Dendoncker and the suspended Craig Bryson.

Dundee were quickly into their stride and had a half chance in the first minute but Luke McCowan’s shot from the edge of the Saints box was blocked.

Dundee skipper Charlie Adam then had an opportunity of his own from a Paul McGowan corner but St Johnstone keeper Zander Clark comfortably held his headed effort under his crossbar.

Dundee keeper Adam Legzdins was called into action shortly after when Ali Crawford whipped in a free-kick from the left with the keeper having to acrobatically punch the ball away to safety. the Dark Blues carved out another opening when Adam swung a free-kick into the Saints penalty area with the ball being cleared but only as far as McCowan who again saw his shot blocked at Clark’s near post. Adam was definitely in the mood and the former Scotland and Rangers star produced another moment of magic, sending a superb pass to Paul McMullan galloping down the right but the winger’s composure deserted him as he advanced into the Saints box and his shot flew well wide. the game continued to ebb and flow with St Johnstone next to have a chance but Michael O’Halloran’s effort was another tame one and off target.

As the half-hour mark came and went, the game’s early promise faded slightly with both sides struggling to string a succession of passes together.

McCowan did come close to breaking the deadlock in the 36th minute when he hit a superb shot from 22 yards that clipped the outside of Clark’s left-hand post with the Dundee winger claiming in vain to referee Andrew Dallas that the keeper had got a fingertip to his effort.

However, Dundee did take the lead just three minutes later. McGowan played a pass into the feet of Mullen 16 yards out from goal and the striker turned smartly before firing low past Clark.

Saints looked to hit back straight away and Eetu Vertainen tried his luck from long range but his shot was easily gathered by Legzdins.

Adam was next to pull the trigger right on the stroke of half-time but his crisp shot from 25 yards flew just past Clark’s left-hand post.

Just three minutes after the restart, Dundee came close to doubling their advantage. Jordan Marshall sent a cross in from the left with Mullen producing a superb header that Clark tipped over his bar to safety.

As the hour mark approached, Saints were still struggling to get themselves back into the match with Dundee looking likelier to extend their lead.

However, St Johnstone did have a chance on the break but Vertainen’s final pass to Kane was too heavy and the chance was lost.

Dundee hit straight back when Max Anderson teed up McCowan on the edge of the Saints box but his shot flew well over.

Vertainen then had a chance of his own when he got his head to a Shaun Rooney cross but Legzdins saved well at his near post.

Dundee had a great chance to put the game to bed in the 82nd minute, but McMullan shot just over with the goal at his mercy.

However the Dark Blues saw out the contest with the result moving McPake’s men up to ninth in the table.

Saints boss Davidson said: ‘I am bitterly disappointed. What we pride ourselves on is hard work, our defensive shape and our attitude. that was lacking, I thought. they were better all over the pitch.’

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DUNDEE (4-3-3): Legzdins 7; Kerr 7, Marshall 7, Fontaine 7, Sweeney 6; Adam 7, McGowan 8 (Griffiths 76), McCowan 6; McMullan 6, Anderson 6, Mullen 8. Subs not used: Lawlor, Elliott, Panter, Cummings, Lamb. Booked: None. ST JOHNSTONE (3-5-2): Clark 6; McCart 6, Gordon 6, Davidson 5 (Craig 45); Rooney 6, Vertainen 5 (Solomon-Otabor 68), MacPherson 5, Crawford 6, Booth 6; Kane 5, O’Halloran 6. Subs not used: Parish, Brown, Devine, Dendoncker, Ambrose. Booked: Solomon-Otabor. Man of the match: Paul McGowan. Referee: Andrew Dallas. Attendance: 5,196.