Dundee returned to winning ways to retain their place at the top of the Championship table with a comfortable 2-0 victory over rock bottom Morton.
Dens boss Paul Hartley handed Christian Nade his first start for the club and the move paid immediate dividends.
The big Frenchman went close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute when he dispossessed Morton’s Darren Cole before rounding keeper Derek Gaston. Nade clipped a shot towards goal from the tightest of angles with Stuart Findlay racing back to clear off his own line.
However, the striker could not be denied just four minutes later when he flung himself at a Martin Boyle cross to bullet a header home and give Dundee the lead.
Nade came close to repeating his goalscoring feat seconds later but his glancing header from a Jim McAlister cross flashed narrowly wide.
The Dark Blues again came close to extending their lead shortly after half-time when Boyle raced through on goal before hitting a crisp shot but Gaston pulled off a fantastic one-handed save to deny him.
Just short of the hour mark, Nade twisted and turned a defender but having manufactured space for himself, he narrowly dragged his shot wide.
Morton rarely threatened but Kyle Letheren had to look lively in the 68th minute to save a long-range effort by Barrie McKay.
With the clock ticking down, Morton skipper Marc Fitpatrick came close with a header but Dundee finally put the game to bed in the 86th minute.
Boyle was sent through on goal again with Gaston saving his shot but Peter MacDonald was on hand to gleefully hit the loose ball into the back of the net.
See Monday’s Courier for full report and analysis.