A Kane Hemmings double was enough to give Dundee a narrow victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill this afternoon.
The Glasgow venue has been a happy hunting ground for the Dark Blues with this victory the third time they have won here this season.
With Dundee down to the bare bones because of injury and suspension, Dark Blues boss Paul Hartley was only able to have three outfield subs on the bench.
Dundee made a bright start but it was the home side who had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when Steven Lawless played Ryan Edwards in on goal but Dark Blues keeper Scott Bain stood big to make a vital block.
Shortly after, the visitors had a superb opportunity of their own when Greg Stewart played a great pass to Gary Harkins lurking unmarked on the left of the Jags penalty area but the Dundee captain sent his curling shot wide of Ryan Scully’s left-hand post.
Then in the 24th minute, Hemmings hit a 22-yard shot which was deflected just wide.
However, 10 minutes later, there was to be no denying the prolific front man. Paul McGinn sent a pinpoint cross in from the right with Hemmings making no mistake from close-range to fire high into the net for his 24th goal of the season.
That counter was enough to ensure Hartley’s men went in at half-time in the lead.
Five minutes after the restart, Bain came to the rescue once again making a vital diving fingertip save to send a goalbound Kris Doolan shot out for a corner.
The keeper’s opposite number Scully had to make a timely point-blank stop from Stewart on the hour mark after deft lead-up work by Craig Wighton.
Thistle were struggling to break down Dundee but they equalised in the 70th minute when Abdul Osman swung a cross in from the left which Doolan headed powerfully past Bain from close range.
The Dark Blues were stung but they came storming back to take the lead once again in the 81st minute with Stewart playing a great pass to release Hemmings in the Thistle box with the striker coolly slotting past Scully.
For full report, reaction and analysis, see Monday’s Courier.