DUNDEE exacted timely revenge for their League Cup exit earlier in the season by overcoming St Johnstone and, in so doing, leapfrogging them in the Scottish Premiership.
James McPake’s reinvigorated side secured back-to-back league victories to hoist themselves into ninth position in the table as their Tayside rivals’ domestic woes continued.
Danny Mullen, who was on target during their 3-0 win over Motherwell last weekend, stepped up once more to break the deadlock six minutes before the interval and it was a strike which ultimately proved decisive in what was a predictably tight affair.
It was a sweet night overall for the Dark Blue who’d been eliminated from the cup by Callum Davidson’s side earlier in the season, meaning they now head for Ibrox on Saturday to face Rangers in a much more positive frame of mind in their quest to climb clear of the relegation zone.
There was a vibrant atmosphere inside Dens on the back of their Motherwell performance which was fitting in the wake of the passing of club legend and record appearance holder Doug Cowie.
Dundee made just one enforced change from the side which swept past Motherwell 3-0 in such comprehensive fashion just a few days earlier.
Lee Ashcroft’s hamstring injury meant he was sidelined for the next few weeks so Liam Fontaine took his place at the heart of the defence.
The hosts had the incentive of knowing that victory would enable them to move above their Tayside opponents who were still smarting from last weekend’s last-gasp home defeat at the hands of League Cup finalists Hibs.
And Saints’ had fond memories of their last visit here. Back in late September, they’d earned a comfortable 2-0 League Cup quarter-final win, courtesy of goals from Shaun Rooney and Ali Crawford on a night when the hosts themselves admitted they simply hadn’t turned up.
The visitors yearned for a similarly positive result since their form in the league so far this season hasn’t always been altogether inspiring.
Jamie McCart, their central defender, saw his early header from Ali Crawford’s cross flash wide of Adam Legzdins’ goal.
Dundee also began brightly amid the crisp conditions. Charlie Adam arrowed a trademark diagonal pass to the on-rushing Paul McMullan in 17 minutes.
It was the kind of service McMullan thrives on but on this occasion the striker hurried his effort somewhat so didn’t trouble Zander Clark who watched his shot fly wide of his left-hand post.
Saints were seeking to exploit Michael O’Halloran’s pace in the final third. Midway through the first-Cameron MacPherson assisted O’Halloran only for him to lack composure and fire his effort over the bar.
With Adam orchestrating things in midfield, Dundee did look the likelier side to forge a breakthrough and, in 36 minutes, Luke McCowan struck the woodwork from inside the box.
But they didn’t have to wait too much longer for something to celebrate. Paul McGowan’s pass was latched onto by Mullen who turned swiftly before executing a low drive into the bottom corner, beyond the helpless Clark.
Dundee remained on top after the break and any expected backlash from their visitors never quite materialised.
Mullen was dripping with energy up front. He barely gave the Saints defence a moment’s rest with his relentless tempo typifying their performance.
McCowan, midway through the second-half, watched his speculative effort from Max Anderson’s through ball soar high past.
But even McMullan’s late miss from close-range mattered little in the end. Mullen’s strike was enough to amass three valuable points and continue recent resurgence, leaving Saints to ponder their most recent set-back.
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