Dundee 3-1 Kilmarnock: Ash Hay scores twice as Killie drop to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership
Report as Dundee beat Kilmarnock 3-1 in the Scottish Premiership; a double from Ash Hay heaps even more pressure on Neil McCann with Kilmarnock move rock bottom
Wednesday 28 October 2026 23:00, UK
Ash Hay piled more pressure on Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann after netting a late brace to earn Dundee a 3-1 win at Dens Park in the William Hill Premiership.
The Dark Blues took the lead in the first half through Joe Bevan but Killie drew level thanks to a Joe Hugill penalty with 15 minutes left.
However, Dundee snatched all three points late on with Hay netting a double. The win lifts the Dark Blues up to fourth while Killie dropped to the bottom of the table.
The hosts made just one change to the team that was beaten at St Mirren on Saturday, with former Killie defender Joe Wright coming in for the injured Owen Bevan.
The visitors, who lost at Falkirk at the weekend, made two alterations to their starting line-up, with Robbie Deas replacing Erik Ring and Nico Mantl making his debut in goal at the expense of Calum Ferrie.
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Before kick-off there was a minute's applause in memory of legendary former Dundee player Giorgi Nemsadze, who passed away last week.
Opportunities were few and far between in the opening stages, with Hugill inches away from connecting with a great ball from Greg Kiltie across the face of the Dundee goal before home skipper Ethan Hamilton hit a shot that flew well over the bar.
In the 29th minute, Bevan burst into the Killie box and hit a low shot that was deflected wide for a corner, then shortly after Bradley Fink had a point-blank header saved before hitting the rebound off Mantl's post.
However, Dundee took the lead in the 32nd minute. Hamilton made a run from midfield before finding Bevan with the winger chopping inside and sliding the ball past Mantl.
Shortly before half-time, Hamilton had another chance when he ghosted in at the back post to connect with a Callum Jones corner but he could not hit the target with his volley.
The visitors had the first opportunity after the break but Tyreece John-Jules dragged his angled shot wide.
Owen Goodman made a spectacular stop in the 55th minute to keep out a rasping shot from Hugill that looked destined to hit the back of the net.
However, the keeper could not prevent Killie drawing level in the 75th minute. George Stanger went down in the Dundee box with referee Duncan Nicolson pointing to the spot. Hugill stepped up and blasted his penalty past Goodman.
Hay thought he had given Dundee the lead once more but his goal was ruled out after a VAR check for handball.
However, the striker made no mistake in the 83rd minute, sending a superb glancing header past Mantl, and wrapped up the points in the fourth minute of stoppage time, beating Mantl and sliding the ball into the empty net.
What the managers said...
Dundee boss Steven Pressley:
"Really pleased with the result. The game itself very much epitomised how tight the league is.
"Kilmarnock gave us problems, they're a good side. In the early part of the second half they put us under a lot of pressure.
"The margins between nine of the teams is really fine so it took an amazing response after the penalty.
"This group only seem to know one way to respond and that's in a positive manner.
"I spoke to the players about the margins and how hard we have to run and work to get results and when you see Ash cramping up at the end it says a lot about him and the group.
"His performance was really strong. He's so quick and strong aerially. There was the disappointment of the goal being chopped off.
"I spoke to him on Monday. He was disappointed with the miss against St Mirren. I said that's normal for a striker and there will be another 100 misses like that but you have to show the courage to go back and miss again and he did that.
"He kept putting himself in those areas of vulnerability and he got his just reward."
Kilmarnock boss Neil McCann:
"Very disappointed. I felt for large spells we were the better side.
"They're very direct and have a lot of power. Ultimately that's what's killed us - the ball in the box.
"Second half we pushed and their keeper made brilliant saves so it's a sore one.
"I think we all felt we were on the ascendancy. Steven [Pressley] felt we were on the ascendancy but we just didn't do enough.
"They defended brilliantly and the second goal was a real killer. It's a disappointing evening. The boys worked ever so hard but they go away with nothing.
"Dundee struggled with us going wide but they seemed to get their heads on things, then when we did create their keeper produced world-class saves.
"They're angry because they had enough of the game to take a point, if not all three."
