THERE was no positive response from Morton following last week's departure of manager Jim McInally as Dundee closed the gap on First Division leaders Hamilton to just four points. Goals from Mickael Antoine-Curier and Gavin Swankie ended this conte
st early with Morton caretaker manager Martin Clark failing to take anything from his one and only game in charge.
This was Dundee's first league win in 2008, with the Taysiders' only other two victories coming in the Scottish Cup against Huntly and Motherwell.
The confidence gained from the 2-1 victory at Fir Park last Monday was prevalent as the hosts made a whirlwind start, with recent signing Antoine- Curier scoring on his home debut. The Frenchman has proved to be a shrewd bit of business following his loan move from Hibernian in January and he netted his second goal in as many games in the sixth minute. Paul McHale's great cross from the right found the striker in a crowded penalty area and he rose the highest to nod past Lee Robinson.
Three minutes later, Dundee doubled their lead when Swankie turned quickly and caught Robinson out with a cheeky shot from 20 yards which effectively killed the game.
The visitors did have a couple of opportunities with David MacGregor's 38th-minute header off the post the closest they came to scoring.
They weren't helped by the laughable sending-off of Chris Millar in the second half for two yellow cards; the second for a fair challenge on Swankie which did not endear referee Alan Muir to the away section. The red card aside, the second half was a pretty forgettable affair.
Dundee: Roy (Samson, 35), Cowan, Dixon, McDonald, MacKenzie, Malone, Robertson, McHale (Daquin, 85), McMenamin, Antoine-Curier (Lyle, 58), Swankie. Subs not used: Davidson, Worrell.
Morton: Robinson, Weatherston, McLaughlin, Smith, MacGregor, McGuffie, Millar, Jenkins, Russell (Wake, 71), Finlayson, McAllister. Subs not used: Walker, Greacen, Harding, Graham.
Referee: A Muir
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