SIX games to go, 540 minutes of fighting and scratching for points: Dundee haven't given up the title chase and are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that Hamilton's trip to Dens Park on the last day of the season is a title showdown rather than a dead rubber.
Last week's 1-0 defeat to the league leaders was, Dundee coach Alex Rae admitted, "a body blow". But during the week the team had an "open and honest" meeting, which sounds like a euphemism for shouting match, and battled for a difficult 1-0 win that sent a simple message to Hamilton: we haven't given up.
Six points behind, with a game in hand - another tough away trip, at Partick Thistle tomorrow - Dundee can still take the promotion race to the final day. Hamilton are winning relentlessly and have three of their last five games at New Douglas Park, where they are unbeaten and have only conceded three goals. Catching them will be difficult; had Dundee lost here it would have been almost impossible.
"We showed a great fighting spirit and it was a massive three points," said Eddie Malone, a defender who epitomised Dundee's grit.
"We had a wee meeting on Thursday after training, it was an honest meeting, we had a chat about what we needed from now until the end of the season and it's paid off for us.
"Rae had a wee pop at a few of the boys and said there's individuals he needs more from and I think the boys showed him that today. He said after the game he can't complain with the commitment we showed today."
Rae concurred: "The workrate was different class. I've had a wee bit of a go at the players but they responded terrifically."
Freddie Daquin settled a game of few chances and little fine football with a well-taken right-foot finish from close range after a superb pass from the excellent Kevin McDonald.
It was the former Dunfermline winger's first goal at East End Park; Rae added: "A steward said to me, How did you get him to score a goal?' but it was really important he put it away for us."
Rae would gladly take another six dour one-nil wins. Recent injuries and suspensions have hampered their challenge and they lacked threat in the absence of Mickael Antoine-Curier, sent off in the defeat at Hamilton.
Malone, who has had to play in four or five different positions this season, centre-half on Saturday, admitted: "It doesn't matter how well we play, or how well we pass the ball from now on, it's just about getting three points.
"It doesn't matter if we win one-nil or five-nil, we just need the points. Hamilton are still winning and we've just got to stay on their heels.
"They might have thought we'd chucked it after last week, but we're here and we're going to keep going until it's mathematically impossible.
"If it comes to a last-day showdown, we'll be prepared. We've got a good record at home and we'll be ready."
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