Disallowed goal costs 'Well at Dens

Scott McDonald and Chris Cadden have both been on the end of contentious decisions from referee John Beaton in matches against Dundee at Dens Park in 2016 (Pic by Ian McFadyen)

Dundee missed a great chance to take a sixth minute lead when Cammy Kerr rifled a low shot wide of the far post after fine build-up play by Craig Wighton.

The game’s main moment of controversy came in the 15th minute when Motherwell thought they’d taken a bizarre lead after Dundee keeper David Mitchell carried the ball a yard over his own goal line after catching Scott McDonald’s innocuous cross from the right.

But the far side linesman didn’t flag to acknowledge the ball had crossed the line and play continued, a decision met with fury by Motherwell players, management and fans.

A riproaring phase of play then saw McDonald miss a great chance when heading an Ainsworth free-kick straight at Mitchell, before ‘Well had a penalty claim when Cadden’s strong run down the left was ended by Kerr’s challenge.

And the visitors came close again on 31 minutes when another Cadden surge preceded a powerful Ainsworth shot which smashed into Kerr’s body.

The Steelmen paid for missing these chances when Dundee took a 40th minute lead when McDonald lost possession in midfield and Dundee surged forward. Wighton’s initial shot was well blocked by Samson but Kerr was on hand to knock in the rebound.

Dundee started the second half strongly and an early Wighton shot was tipped over by Samson, before Marcus Haber headed a Wighton cross against the bar.

The hosts suffered a blow when centre back Kevin Gomis went off with a shoulder injury after landing awkwardly.

But the Dark Blues were inches away from going two up on 66 minutes when Holt’s left footed strike from 20 yards missed narrowly.

Dundee did go two up 11 minutes from full-time when Wighton skinned Ben Heneghan on the left before crossing for Haber to shoot home.

McManus wasted a great scoring chance at the other end when he shot over McDonald’s tee up, before Mitchell saved a Craig Clay shot unconvincingly, with McDonald’s weak header from the rebound easily stopped.

But it was nearly 3-0 at the other end when the outstanding Wighton’s mazy run ended with a shot well saved by Samson.

Dundee saw out the remaining minutes to win and go level on points with ‘Well.