Dundee 2 St Johnstone 1

Nov 4 2007 Ewan Smith At Dens Park

Mac's Winner Hard To Swallow

CLASSY Kevin McDonald smashed a dramatic injury-time winner as Dundee hammered home their title credentials.

His 18-yard strike turned a terrific Tayside derby on its head and moves the Dark Blues to within three points of leaders Hamilton.

But it was a sickener for fellow title challengers Saints who dominated the first half and deservedly led at the break through Paul Sheerin's spot-kick.

Owen Coyle's side made a storming start and could easily have been two up before their opener.

Andy Jackson was a major threat and was first to test Craig Samson in five minutes, latching on to a Goran Stanic cross with a low downward header.

Samson held that effort and just seconds later the keeper showed his worth again by rushing off his line to block striker Jackson's 18-yard try.

Rocco Quinn then showed nifty footwork to cut open the Dundee defence and make space for a shot from 10 yards. With Samson beaten it took a saving block from Scott Robertson to keep the scoreline blank.

But it was only a matter of time before Saints made the breakthrough.

It came in 17 minutes but not without some controversy. Sheerin broke clear in the box only to see his powerful 15-yard strike blocked by the hands of Gary McKenzie.

Jackson reacted quickly to stab into the empty net but his celebrations were curbed by ref Iain Brines who instead awarded a penalty.

McKenzie could have been dismissed for handling but Brines only dished out a yellow - much to the disbelief of Coyle's men.

But Dundee were finally punished when Sheerin - who missed a penalty on this ground last season - showed great courage to dispatch the ball past Samson from the spot.

With Saints well in control Dundee's attempts on goal were limited. The one clear chance they had to draw level came in 33 minutes as a Derek Lyle cross was met by Freddie Daquin - but the Frenchman's header barely tested Alan Main.

Dundee manager Alex Rae had clearly seen enough and hooked Daquin as part of a tactical reshuffle.

Paul McHale came on to shore things up in the heart of the midfield before Brines blew for half-time to jeers from the home support.

Rae made another change at the break, sacrificing defender Paul Dixon in favour of left winger Gavin Swankie as he sent his team out to have a go.

And they responded with three chances inside seven minutes. Swankie was first up when he beat the offside trap to volley into the side netting from 15 yards in 46 minutes.

Two minutes later Lyle should have levelled when Robertson made for the byeline before cutting back.

He connected with the low cross with his left foot but the ball cannoned off his right and bounced wide.

Bob Davidson came close in 52 minutes, stepping off his marker to meet Swankie's cross with a diving header - but his effort flew past.

However just eight minutes later the Dundee hitman latched on to McDonald's superb touch to drill home the equaliser from 15 yards.

It was now an exciting end-to-end affair with both sides having chances to win it.

Sheerin forced Samson into a great low save with a 20-yard volley before McDonald's late heroics.

He met Davidson's cutback superbly to plant the ball low past Main.

MoM: McDonald (Dundee)