Steven Pressley hails Joe Westley ‘courage’ after helping Dundee beat Motherwell

Dundee boss Steven Pressley praised Joe Westley for the bravery he showed by playing in the 2-1 home win over Motherwell.

The former Burnley striker fractured his cheekbone against Hearts a fortnight ago but declared himself available after deciding against having surgery.

Instead, he played wearing a protective mask with Westley netting Dundee’s opening goal from the penalty spot before Bradley Fink doubled their advantage. Alex Lowry pulled one back for the visitors just before the break but the home side held on.

Pressley said: “Joe showed great courage. But he gave a wonderful performance, without any trepidation. Joe was fearless in everything he did and to score a goal is really important for him because he lives off them.

“Motherwell scoring on the stroke of half-time brought a little bit of trepidation. But in the second half, I thought we showed incredible courage as a team just to not lose the game.

“To a man they were exceptional. We defended with our lives at the end and great credit to the team.”

In stoppage time, Dundee goalkeeper Owen Goodman was involved in a collision with Motherwell substitute Eythor Bjorgolfsson as he came for a high ball but the officials saw nothing amiss.

However, Steelmen boss Alfred Johansson insisted his side should have been awarded a penalty.

He said: “When you ask me I am going to say I believe it was a penalty. I saw it on TV but sometimes you get it and sometimes you don’t.

“We are maybe not the luckiest in terms of penalty decisions but I am sure we will be in the future.”

Johansson also believed the Dundee spot-kick award was contentious.

He added: “I think it is a soft penalty. That is all I want to say about that, it is what it is. Next time maybe we get a soft one.”

Motherwell have now lost three league games in a row but Johansson still took positives from the latest defeat.

He added: “I liked the energy in the team fighting for second balls. What was missing was the end product.

“The chances we did create we need to convert more, but I also think from these good build-up plays then the last pass or cross was what meant we didn’t win this game.

“If we improve that part, which we will work really hard to do, then it will not only improve our attacking threat and lead to less transitions against us.

“We took a good step from what we have seen lately. The end product was what was missing.”