Dundee can win automatic promotion to the Premiership next week if they beat Dumbarton after another incredible afternoon in the Championship.
The Dark Blues travelled to Alloa knowing their title destiny was out of their hands with Hamilton a point ahead of them at the top of the table.
However, Paul Hartley’s men cruised to a 3-0 win against the Wasps while Accies slumped to a 4-1 defeat to the Sons.
Dundee had a huge let-off in the 12th minute when Alloa’s Graeme Holmes was played in by Stephen Simmons with the striker attempting to lob Kyle Letheren but the Dark Blues keeper managed to make a vital fingertip save.
With so much at stake for both sides, chances after that were at a premium and it wasn’t until the 32nd minute that Hartley’s men fashioned an opportunity of their own when a McBride corner found its way to Christian Nade at the back post but his shot sailed well wide.
The Dundee fans soon recovered from that disappointment with a huge cheer going up from the big away support as news filtered through that Dumbarton had scored against Hamilton.
Nade then had an even better opening in the 41st minute when he latched onto a Gavin Rae pass with his back to goal before spinning and cracking a shot. It looked certain to end up in the back of the net but Wasps keeper Scott Bain kept the ball out with his foot.
However, Bain was helpless just a minute later when Nade got his head to another McBride corner to nod into the goal to give Dundee a priceless lead.
Dundee dominated at the start of the second half with a barrowload of territory and possession and the travelling fans behind the Alloa goal were baying for a spot-kick just after the hour mark when Martin Boyle was brought down as he made a determined run into the home penalty area but referee John Beaton waved away appeals.
Shortly after, Boyle flashed an angled drive just wide of Bain’s far post.
However, there was no doubt in Mr Beaton’s mind in the 70th minute when a Nade header was handled by Daryll Meggatt in the Alloa penalty area and the official pointed to the spot.
Meggatt, who had been booked earlier, was shown a second yellow followed by a red before Peter MacDonald stepped up to calmly slot the penalty into the corner of Bain’s net to double Dundee’s advantage.
The Dundee fans were jumping for joy as the goal went in and there was further delight on the terracing in the 83rd minute when news broke that Dumbarton had again taken the lead against Accies.
The Dark Blues came agonisingly close to making it three when substitute Craig Beattie’s shot was well saved by Bain with MacDonald volleying the rebound off the bar.
However, the Dark Blues did make it three in the 89th minute when Beattie coolly controlled the ball before despatching an angled shot into the far corner of Bain’s net.
And the Dundee joy increased just after when the fans discovered that Dumbarton had also scored a further two goals.
The final whistle saw the travelling support invade the pitch to salute their heroes.
See Monday’s Courier Sport for full reaction and comment.