Boyhood Dundee fan Simon Murray fulfilled his dream of scoring a winner against city rivals Dundee United as the Dark Blues progressed to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup with their first derby victory in more than seven years.
The 32-year-old striker – who spent two and a half years with United earlier in his career – had spoken of his desire to be the hero for the Dee in this fixture, and his big moment arrived as his first-minute header was enough to secure a 1-0 win in this fiercely-contested fourth-round tie.
United cranked up the pressure in the closing stages, but the hosts held firm to end their eight-game run without a derby triumph since August 2017 and savour their first Scottish Cup victory over United since 1956.
Dee boss Tony Docherty made one change from the side that drew 3-3 with Celtic in the William Hill Premiership last Tuesday as Lyall Cameron came in for Josh Mulligan, who missed out due to illness.
United, who won at Dens in the league just two and a half weeks previously, made two changes from the team that started their 1-0 win at St Mirren last time out, with Ross Graham and Louis Moult replacing Ross Docherty and Glenn Middleton.
Striker Ruari Paton and midfielder Lewis Fiorini, who joined the Tannadice club on loan earlier in the day from Port Vale and Stockport respectively, were both named on the bench.
Dundee came flying out of the traps and took the lead in the first minute as Murray met Fin Robertson’s corner at the near post and glanced a header beyond Jack Walton.
The flame-haired striker – who also opened the scoring in the previous derby – threatened again three minutes later when he curled a shot just over from the edge of the box.
United had the ball in the net in the ninth minute through top scorer Sam Dalby but it was swiftly ruled out as Will Ferry’s cross from the left had drifted out of play.
United spurned a huge opportunity to equalise just before the half-hour mark when Graham sent a close-range free header over the bar from a Vicko Sevelj cross. Sevelj then fired home from the edge of the box moments later but the whistle had gone for a foul in the build-up.
Dundee looked the likelier side as the first half drew to a close, with the fired-up Murray shooting wide from edge of the box after driving forward menacingly.
The hosts had a big chance to double their lead five minutes after the break but Cameron shot just over after being set up just inside the box by a cutback from Murray.
United boss Jim Goodwin made a triple substitution in the 71st minute, including sending Paton on for his debut, and they started to ask serious questions of the hosts in the closing stages.
Paton saw a goalbound effort blocked just in front of the line by Ethan Ingram before goalkeeper Trevor Carson made two excellent saves to deny Declan Gallagher and Ferry.
United’s pressure continued into stoppage time as Kristijan Trapanovski smashed a shot against the post before Middleton rifled just wide as the Dee weathered the storm to banish their long wait for derby glory.
