Simon Murray was the Dundee hero with both goals in a vital 2-0 victory over St Mirren at Dens Park.
The Buddies had several chances and hit the woodwork but they could not find a way past Trevor Carson in the home goal with the result putting a big dent in the Paisley side’s top-six hopes.
Dundee remain 11th in the table but are now one point behind Ross County and Kilmarnock, and eight ahead of rock-bottom St Johnstone.
The Dark Blues made just one change to the team that lost 4-3 to Rangers last week with the experienced Clark Robertson returning from injury with Aaron Donnelly dropping to the bench.
Not surprisingly, the Buddies kept faith with the side that beat Kilmarnock 5-1 last Saturday.
St Mirren had the first shot on target with just seconds on the clock when Mark O’Hara let fly from the edge of the home box but Carson made an unorthodox stop with his leg.
Instead, it was the hosts who stormed into the lead in the second minute when Jordan McGhee sent a cross into the Buddies box towards Seun Adewumi with the ball breaking to Murray who made no mistake, drilling his shot low into the bottom corner for his 20th goal of the season.
The striker had another chance shortly after when he got his head to a Scott Tiffoney cross but this time, his attempt was off target.
St Mirren then had a great opportunity of their own when Declan John delivered a cross into the Dundee box but Killian Phillips could only direct his header straight at Carson who made an easy save.
As the half drew to a close, the Buddies continued to press with Roland Idowu just inches away from getting his head on an inviting cross, with the ball flying through to John but his strike was blocked and Dundee headed down the tunnel with a narrow lead.
St Mirren came out with the bit between their teeth at the start of the second half, pegging Dundee back with the tension rising amongst the supporters in the home stands.
Buddies midfielder Caolan Boyd-Munce tried his luck from distance and although the ball took a deflection, Carson was able to make a comfortable save with the same St Mirren player going close again shortly after.
However, the Dark Blues extended their advantage in the 63rd minute – and the goal came courtesy of a howler from Buddies keeper Zach Hemming, who smashed a clearance off Murray with the striker keeping his cool to fire the ball into the empty net from all of 35 yards.
The Buddies came close to bouncing straight back but Richard Taylor’s header from a Scott Tanser corner crashed off Carson’s crossbar.
The home keeper then made a vital stop, to push an effort from substitute Toyosi Olusanya round his post as Dundee claimed a valuable three points.
