Callum Slattery's late header secured all three points at Fir ParkSNS

Callum Slattery's late header secured all three points at Fir Park

At a glance

  • Slattery heads in late winner for Motherwell

  • Askou's side move up to third in Premiership table

  • Dundee's winless run extends to four games

Motherwell v Dundee highlights on Sportscene

20/12/2015

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Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Motherwell moved up to third in the Scottish Premiership after Callum Slattery's late goal edged them to victory against a struggling Dundee.

Jens Berthel Askou's side moved a point ahead of Rangers, who play Hearts on Sunday.

Dundee, who are now winless in their last four Premiership matches, remain in trouble at the bottom end of the table.

The visitors managed to nullify Motherwell's threat for the majority of the first half before the hosts cranked up the pressure towards the end of the first 45 at Fir Park.

Slattery had a pop from range before missing from close range from Emmanuel Longelo's pass but the hosts couldn't find a way through a relatively robust Dundee.

Motherwell continued to struggle to break down Dundee in the second half but were the better team for almost all of the second period.

Ibrahim Said looked lively when he was introduced and he played a lovely ball in behind for Callum Hendry, who lashed his effort well wide of the far post.

Said then set up Lukas Fadinger, who shot over Jon McCracken's crossbar before Hendry's header was parried away by the goalkeeper.

Dundee created a few chances in the second half. Callum Jones had two, the first of which was cut out before the second zipped over Calum Ward's crossbar.

But Slattery finally broke the deadlock with less than 10 minutes to play when he headed Eliot Watt's cross low into the bottom corner of McCracken's goal.

Dundee continued to search for an equaliser until the final whistle blew but remain 10th, one point ahead of Kilmarnock.

Analysis: Motherwell's record-breaking run & more misery for Dundee

Motherwell become first non Old Firm team since 2018 to keep a clean sheet for six games.SNS

Before this game, Askou urged his Motherwell side to focus more on the attacking side of the game, but it took them until the 82nd minute to find the back of the net.

It wasn't for lack of trying, though. The hosts had 16 shots, seven on target, 60 final third entries and 28 touches in the opposition box before Slattery's header.

While frustrating, it won't really matter now to Motherwell, who are up to third in the Premiership before Rangers - who they leapfrogged - play Hearts on Sunday.

What's more, Askou's side are now 10 games unbeaten in the top flight - something they've not done since 2023.

The clean sheet also marks their longest run of games without conceding since 2013/14, while they have become the first non-Old Firm team to keep six successive clean sheets since St Johnstone in 2018.

For Dundee, it's even more misery. They have now failed to score in nine of their 18 games, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

They had five shots at Fir Park but generated an expected goals of 0.25 across the 90 minutes and didn't create a single big chance.

Dundee remain in 10th, a point above Kilmarnock and four clear of Livingston at the bottom.

Steven Pressley's side come up against Falkirk after Christmas before a visit by Kilmarnock to close out 2025 - two games that are now looking even more important if they want to keep their Premiership hopes alive.

What they said

Motherwell boss says players should not fear the Old Firm

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "We never gave into the frustration that might sneak in and that everyone could feel from the stands.

"That's something we have been addressing throughout the season. There will be many games where we have to make a lot of mistakes before we get the ball over the line so we have to sort that frustration out and fill it up with positivity, optimism and good positive body language and know there will be a chance if we keep going."

Dundee boss Steven Pressley: "I think over the course of the 90 minutes Motherwell deserved to win the game but from our own team's performance we started really aggressively.

"We had a lot of the ball which was encouraging but we didn't manage to get control in last 20 minutes. In terms of the group it was an incredible effort. They worked so hard in terms of their recovery and pressure, they were terrific in that regard we just need to be more confident on the ball. The winning of games and getting results gives you confidence."

What's next?

Motherwell travel to Ibrox to face Rangers next Saturday (15:00 GMT), while Dundee are at home to Falkirk at the same time.

Player of the match

S. Welsh
8.05
57 S. Welsh
8.05
8 C. Slattery
8.00
13 C. Ward
7.65
21 E. Just
7.57
16 P. McGinn
7.47
7 T. Sparrow
7.38
90 I. Said
7.37
20 E. Watt
7.36
12 L. Fadinger
7.28
45 E. Longelo
7.26
22 J. Koutroumbis
7.06
25 O. Priestman
7.00
9 A. Stamatelopoulos
6.73
2 S. O'Donnell
6.53
77 Regan Charles-Cook
6.06
66 C. Hendry
5.80
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