Ashley Hay completed Dundee's comeback in added timeImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Ashley Hay completed Dundee's comeback in added time

At a glance

  • Dundee stage second-half fightback for landmark away victory

  • Murrell penalty gives Falkirk lead, but visitors level through Owen Bevan

  • Hay marks return from injury with added-time winner

ByStuart Mitchell
BBC Sport Scotland

Injury-hit Dundee showed steely determination to claim their first top-flight away win over Falkirk in 39 years thanks to Ashley Hay's last-gasp strike.

Striker Hay, on his first Scottish Premiership start of the season after two months out injured, threatened throughout the match and emerged as the hero in added time.

It means Falkirk drop more late points following their draw at 10-man St Johnstone before the international break.

Despite having eight players missing because of injury, Dundee looked confident and applied pressure to the Falkirk defence.

But the visitors were made to rue missed opportunities when Falkirk's Finley Barbrook arrived to the ball in the Dundee box, Callum Jones was teased into a challenge and referee David Dickinson pointed to the spot.

Jacob Murrell powered the penalty beyond Owen Goodman for the American striker's second Premiership goal of the season.

The goal flipped the momentum, with Falkirk looking much more settled with the lead.

Dundee rallied, however, and the leveller arrived when Drey Wright recycled a corner and Owen Bevan fired a close-range header into the net.

Steven Pressley's fourth-place side continued to drive forward and in the 91st minute Hay pounced to leave the travelling support ecstatic.

Falkirk analysis: More added-time trouble

Falkirk struggled to settle, coming under heavy pressure with Scott Bain called upon twice to keep the score at 0-0.

In the aftermath of Murrell's penalty it looked like the hosts' confidence was picking up and they were beginning to calm down.

They never capitalised on any momentum from that goal, though, and now sit as the Premierships lowest scorers, along with Kilmarnock - who are the only team below them in the Premiership table - and Aberdeen, who play on Sunday.

The other question centres on the defence. It is now three times in four league games that Falkirk have conceded in second-half injury time.

After victory against Hearts before the international break, John McGlynn wanted back-to-back home wins. Instead he is left with plenty to ponder and a trip to take on Hibs next weekend.

Dundee analysis: Hay's timely return

This is an Opta image graphic of Ashley Hay's shot attempts for Dundee in their match against Falkirk.Image source, Opta
Image caption,

Ashley Hay's six shots is the joint highest for Dundee in the Premiership this season

Pressley said pre-match he wants his side to have more control in games, but Dundee didn't need to dominate the possession stats to take away three points. Their energy in attack gave them a command in both halves.

Returning striker Hay was a highlight even before he netted the winning goal. Hay attempted six shots - the joint most by any Dundee player in a league match this season - with four on target, and had the most touches in the opposition box.

There is a confidence and a resilient attitude to Dundee this season. They didn't feel sorry for themselves after going behind, returning for the second half with the same determination and drive.

It is Rangers up next for Pressley's side, and only the Old Firm at the top of the table have conceded fewer goals than Dundee this season.

What they said

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "We're not happy, we are losing late goals and it's a theme developing that we need to hit on the head.

"We've lost so many points by losing late goals, and if you can't win the game, don't lose the game. A point is better than nothing."

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "It was a really competitive game, and I felt over the 90 minutes that we probably just edged it.

"Really, really proud of the group, they are an amazing group and they keep defying the odds."

Figure caption,

Dundee 'keep defying the odds' - Pressley

Player of the match

Number: 5 O. Bevan
Average rating 8.24
Number: 19 S. Bain
Average Rating: 5.65
Number: 42 O. Eames
Average Rating: 5.50
Number: 16 F. Barbrook
Average Rating: 5.29
Number: 14 F. Yeats
Average Rating: 5.27
Number: 15 L. Neilson
Average Rating: 5.24
Number: 4 J. McMillan
Average Rating: 5.15
Number: 27 C. McLeod
Average Rating: 5.08
Number: 22 R. Strain
Average Rating: 5.00
Number: 3 L. McCann
Average Rating: 4.89
Number: 23 E. Ross
Average Rating: 4.75
Number: 8 B. Spencer
Average Rating: 4.63
Number: 5 L. Henderson
Average Rating: 4.56
Number: 28 B. Krauhaus
Average Rating: 4.50
Number: 24 J. Murrell
Average Rating: 4.47
Number: 7 B. Parkinson
Average Rating: 4.46
Number: 10 C. Sibbald
Average Rating: 4.46

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.