There was sheer “Dee-light” at a sold-out Dens Park this afternoon as Dundee secured the Championship title and automatic promotion to the Premiership.
There were ecstatic scenes at the end as hundreds of fans in the 10,718 crowd invaded the pitch to acclaim their Dark Blue heroes after their 2-1 win over Dumbarton.
Paul Hartley’s side had gone into the game knowing that victory would be enough to win the league at the expense of their season-long challengers, Hamilton and Falkirk.
With all three teams still in the running for the title, the Championship trophy was sitting in a helicopter at Cumbernauld Airport until the destination of the silverware was confirmed with the pilot finally setting a flight path to the City of Discovery.
Prior to kick-off, there was a carnival atmosphere with supporters queuing at the gates more than two hours before kick-off.
Just before the game began, Dundee skipper Gavin Rae was presented with a trophy by chairman Bill Colvin in recognition for playing more than 300 games for the side in his three spells at the club.
Hartley made just one change from the side that beat Alloa last week with Kyle Benedictus coming in at centre-half in place of the suspended Iain Davidson.
Dundee looked understandably nervy in the opening stages but they did create two openings first by Martin Boyle who hooked a shot wide and then Rae with a drive from the edge of the Dumbarton box which was saved by diving Sons goalie Jamie Ewings.
The keeper came to the rescue once again in the 22nd minute when a mishit Boyle shot flew to Jim McAlister. It looked like the midfielder would burst the net but his strike was too close to Ewings who produced a comfortable save.
However, the keeper was helpless just three minutes later when Dundee floated a free-kick into the Dumbarton box. Christian Nade rose highest with his header looping over Ewings and into the back of the net to send the home fans wild.
Those supporters’ hearts were in their mouths shortly after when former Dundee striker Colin Nish attempted to lob Kyle Letheren with the ball rebounding off the woodwork.
Then in the 36th minute, Dundee doubled their advantage.
Gary Irvine cut in from the right to send a perfect cross towards Peter MacDonald running in at the back post and the striker made no mistake with a precision header past Ewings.
Dundee were quick out of the traps in the second half and came agonisingly close to making it three when McAlister floated a cross towards Nade with the Frenchman glancing a header off the Dumbarton post with Ewings beaten.
The Dark Blues had another great chance just after the hour mark when MacDonald floated a tempting ball to the back post with Boyle ghosting in but he could get enough purchase on his shot and Ewings blocked.
The fans had already started their title celebrations but they proved premature in the 69th minute when Willie Dyer slipped in his penalty area and brought down a Dumbarton player in the process.
Referee Bobby Madden awarded a penalty and Scott Agnew made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1.
The home nerves were jangling and in the 84th minute Dumbarton were claiming for another penalty after a clumsy Benedictus challenge but this time Mr Madden was not impressed.
Shortly after, MacDonald had a chance to seal it but Ewings produced an outstanding save to deny the striker.
In the 90th minute, Letheren was the hero for Dundee when he pulled off an incredible fingertip save to stop a Dumbarton header going into his net.
With the game in the fourth minute of stoppage time, the referee blew for the final whistle to spark joyous celebrations around the ground and on the pitch.
See Monday’s Courier Sport for reports, interviews and analysis as well as an eight-page souvenir pull-out.