Motherwell’s bid to crash the Scottish Premiership title race was set back as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Dens Park.
Finlay Robertson’s 84th-minute finish settled the game for Dundee, handing Motherwell their fourth Premiership loss of the season and only their second since October. It was the first time in 21 league matches that they had conceded two goals.
Callum Slattery had levelled for the visitors with a superb 30-yard free-kick six minutes earlier after Tony Yogane gave Dundee a surprise first-half lead against the run of play.
Jens Berthel Askou’s side dominated possession — around two-thirds — and managed nine of their 21 attempts on target, but goalkeeper Jon McCracken produced several key saves to frustrate Motherwell and blunt their game in hand on the top three. Victory would have given them a chance to move second ahead of next weekend’s trip to Celtic Park, but they remain 10 points behind leaders Hearts and are now closer to Hibernian in fifth.
Motherwell took control after a cautious opening and created a steady flow of opportunities. Tawanda Maswanhise broke in behind the defence and forced a block from McCracken, who then held Elliot Watt’s long-range strike at the second attempt. Lukas Fadinger was also denied before firing wide.
Dundee struck from their first meaningful foray in the 32nd minute when crosses from both wings unsettled Motherwell; Yogane tucked home from close range following Drey Wright’s delivery. The visitors had only conceded three goals across their previous 16 league matches, and almost conceded again straight away when Yogane headed wide with Calum Ward out of position.
Motherwell lost Fadinger to a head knock and brought on Oscar Priestman. McCracken then kept out another curling effort from Maswanhise. At half-time Askou introduced Tom Sparrow and Eythor Bjorgolfsson, prompting greater urgency from the visitors, though Slattery and Watt both rushed shooting chances and Elijah Just lashed a free-kick over.
Dundee had a goal disallowed for offside when substitute Ashley Hay finished after sloppy play from Ward. Askou made a bold switch by bringing on winger Regan Charles-Cook for left-back Emmanuel Longelo, a move that brought a headed chance from Just that McCracken saved. Dundee then exploited the space left by the change when Cameron Congreve struck the bar with a dipping effort.
Motherwell finally found a spark when Slattery produced a moment of magic from a free-kick to draw level, only for Joe Westley to get behind Motherwell’s defence soon after and square for Robertson to finish and restore Dundee’s lead. McCracken thwarted further efforts from Slattery and Maswanhise as Motherwell’s afternoon ended in frustration.
With the loss, Motherwell missed the chance to capitalise on their fixture in hand and must regroup if they are to remain a factor in the run-in.