Dundee 3-0 Stirling

Apr 13 2008 Michael Baillie At Dens Park

GARY MACKENZIE helped Dundee rack up another win then admitted it will now take a miracle for them to be crowned champions.

Alex Rae's men kept their hopes alive with a storming second-half display to sink plucky Albion.

But their prayers for a Hamilton slip-up at Livingston weren't answered and they trail Billy Reid's men by four points with just two games left.

Accies can clinch the championship with victory over Clyde on Saturday and the Dark Blues need a major favour if there is to be a flag decider between the top two at Dens on the final day.

And although MacKenzie will keep believing the dream is possible he knows leaders Accies are odds-on to seal their place in the SPL.

MacKenzie, who grabbed Dundee's opener before Gavin Swankie and Scott Robertson netted, said: "Given Hamilton's home record we need a miracle now - but we have to hope.

"It was sickening to come off and find out they had won again. I thought this was going to be our chance because of their record at Livingston but they have done it again.

"It's out of our hands and that's not a good feeling.

"We just want to have a say in it and get them back here on the final day because we'll beat them. But as it stands it's down to Clyde.

"You can't take anything away from Hamilton. They have led for a long time and have kept winning.

"Next week we'll have to do our bit against Queen of the South and hope the other result goes our way."

Boss Rae hailed his team's determination after they drew a blank in the first half.

He said: "The lads showed great character to win. The pressure is on and the only aim is to get three points. It's all about next week now."

Relegated Stirling only had pride to play for and were determined to make a game of it. They could have taken an early lead as Jay Rodriguez drilled in a low shot that tested Craig Samson.

Mickael Antoine-Curier has notched nine goals for Dundee since joining on loan from Hibs and the Frenchman should have done better from Eddie Malone's free-kick.

Unmarked inside the box he glanced a header wide. Dundee needed a goal to help settle their nerves but toiled to break the Binos down.

Their best chance looked as though it would come from a set-piece and Freddie Daquin soon curled a dangerous free-kick into the box.

Malone and MacKenzie both challenged for it but the ball again drifted agonisingly past.

The hosts kept pushing and Colin McMenamin passed up two glorious chances in a matter of minutes.

For the first the striker was played in by Patrick Noubissie.

However, as he edged into the area he blazed his effort over.

After the second miss McMenamin was left holding his head in despair wondering how he didn't burst the net.

Swankie was played down the left by Paul Dixon and the winger's cut-back was on a plate for McMenamin.

But from 12 yards and with the goal gaping he snatched it inches wide. It was scoreless at the interval but Dundee looked hungry at the start of the second half and came close within three minutes.

Daquin crossed for Antoine-Curier and the striker looked a cert to score but his header smacked the woodwork.

In the next attack the outstanding Swankie fired past keeper Scott Christie only to be flagged offside.

Christie then pulled off a fine stop at the feet of McMenamin.

But the Stirling No.1 was finally beaten in 55 minutes as Daquin swung in a corner that MacKenzie powered home from close range.

Just two minutes later Dundee doubled their advantage with a stunning strike from Swankie.

Malone's shot was blocked and it broke to Swankie who rifled home a beautiful crisp volley from 16 yards.

The Dark Blues were on easy street and their third came late on when Kevin McDonald found sub Robertson and he slotted a low shot past Christie.

Stirling gaffer Allan Moore said: "That's the story of our season - mistakes cost us. If we can keep this side together we'll have a good chance of coming up again."

MoM: Swankie (Dundee)