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Dundee's Rory Loy opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season

Dundee survived a late scare to record a narrow victory over Motherwell at Dens Park.

The home side opened a 2-0 lead through Rory Loy and Kevin Holt, both goals coming after the break, and looked good for the three points.

But Stephen Pearson pulled a goal back for Motherwell to set Dundee nerves jangling.

Paul Hartley's men did not buckle, though, and move five points clear of their opponents.

Interim Motherwell manager Stephen Craigan could not inspire his charges to a second successive victory and the club's attentions will now focus more sharply on finding a permanent replacement for Ian Baraclough.

Loy's breakthrough goal brightened a hitherto drab afternoon of football in its creation and execution.

Riccardo Calder carved out the opportunity from the Dundee left and, when his cross found its way to the edge of the six-yard box, Loy's acrobatic backheel beat Connor Ripley.

There had been little to choose between the teams before that, but Dundee gave themselves further breathing space when Holt fired in a second.

Stephen Craigan suffered defeat in his second game as Motherwell's caretaker-manager

The full-back curled a low free-kick past the wall from 20 yards and beyond the outstretched glove of Ripley.

Motherwell's lack of punch up front has been their Achilles heel all season, but Pearson gave them something to fight for when his cross from the left found its way past players from both sides and eventually into the net.

Unfortunately for the visitors, they could not fashion another decent opportunity.

By contrast, Dundee - after an uninspiring first hour - came to life after going in front.

It followed a first period virtually devoid of action of any note, with Gary Harkins' injury-time free kick, which was turned round the post by Ripley, the only troublesome moment for either keeper.

The opening stages were marred further by game-ending injuries to important figures on both sides.

Greg Stewart was forced off following a clumsy challenge by Louis Moult and Dundee missed his creativity, compounded by the loss of Kevin Thomson in the middle of the park.

Lionel Ainsworth, who had shown moments of promise, was also forced off after twisting awkwardly.

Motherwell now face games against Aberdeen and Celtic and will hope to have a new man in charge to guide them through those tests.