Morton 1-2 Dundee

Apr 6 2008 Kenny Macdonald At Cappielow

SUPERSUB Derek Lyle silenced his doubters with a last-gasp winner that kept Dundee's title hopes alive.

Morton looked set to give their bid to avoid a relegation play-off a massive lift when they stormed in front but Alex Rae's men battled back to keep the heat on leaders Hamilton.

Rae admitted he thought his side were doomed until Lyle, who will be an Accies player next season, pounced.

He said: "Mathematically we still had a chance if we hadn't won but realistically it would have been difficult. It shows a lot of character to come back and about 80 per cent of teams who go behind lose.

"We were a bit nervy but got the win and that's what matters.

"You know exactly what you get from Derek and he is a proud wee guy. He could have had a couple today and played well."

Keeper Craig Samson knows Lyle's decision to sign a pre-contract with Hamilton has caused controversy.

But he backed the striker to continue to give his all for Dundee's cause until the end of the season.

He said: "Some people may have thought he would chuck in the towel but he is a professional and has played well for us.

"Everyone in our team knows Derek will try his hardest and he proved that today with his goal."

Dundee came flying out the traps and in just three minutes Paul Dixon came within inches of an opener.

He seized on a clearance from a corner 20 yards out on the left and let fly with a fierce low shot that zipped past keeper Lee Robinson and beyond the far post.

Five minutes later they came close again when Patrick Noubissie found space on the right of the box and angled in a low shot Robinson blocked brilliantly with his legs.

Morton hit back and grabbed the opener in 10 minutes with a wonderful effort from Jim McAlister.

He darted down the left and cut inside Gary MacKenzie before cracking in a fierce 25-yard shot that beat Samson.

Morton pushed for a second and Peter Weatherson missed two chances before Dundee hit back.

David O'Brien skinned Millar and fired in a shot that was well saved by Robinson.

The Dens men levelled in 25 minutes when Mikael Antoine-Curier took a pass from O'Brien and lashed home a low shot.

Afierce contest boiled over when Stewart Greacen was caught late by Kevin McDonald who received a yellow while the defender writhed in agony.

As Greacen hobbled past the dugout after treatment he had a heated exchange with Rae and ref Brian Winter warned Dundee's player-boss.

After the break Scott McLaughlin swept in a cross that caught out the Dundee defence and flew across Ryan Harding just six yards out.

MacKenzie then beat Robinson from a corner but defender David MacGregor nodded off the line.

Morton's new signing Erik Paartalu from Gretna battled on the edge of the box to squeeze a pass to Millar 15 yards out but Dixon slid in brilliantly to block his shot.

Dundee weren't finished and snatched the winner 10 minutes from time.

An Eddie Malone free-kick was headed on by MacKenzie and Lyle lashed a fierce low shot into the bottom right corner for the winner.

Morton boss Davie Irons said: "We deserved something out the game and it is hard to take, especially as Clyde won."

MoM: McAlister (Morton)