Kyle all smiles for Dee
Kyle Benedictus set Dundee on their way to a fine 3-1 home win over high-flying Hibernian whose tenure at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League was brought to a spluttering end.
The victory lifted bottom-of-the-table Dundee to just a point behind St Mirren as Barry Smith's side continued their recent run of fine form against a side who began the day at the SPL summit.
Benedictus scored in the first half and his effort was followed by second-half goals from Steven Milne and Kevin McBride which meant Leigh Griffiths' injury-time strike was nothing more than a consolation.
Pat Fenlon's Hibernian made the trip in high spirits but were overrun by hosts who are now unbeaten in three games and go to Paisley to take on St Mirren next weekend.
The victory margin could easily have been more emphatic as Dundee were denied a penalty just before the interval when Milne was brought down inside the box by Tom Taiwo.
Celtic's win at Aberdeen at lunchtime had knocked Hibernian off the top, but they knew the chance was there to regain the leadership.
Former Dundee striker Griffiths was back at his old stomping ground buoyed by winning his first Scotland cap in Luxembourg on Wednesday.
But it was the hosts who threatened first when they almost punished some slack defending after 11 minutes.
McBride's long ball forward caused confusion between visiting goalkeeper Ben Williams and defender Paul Hanlon as Milne attempted to pounce.
Milne got between the two Hibernian pair but could only watch in frustration as he stabbed the ball wide.
At the other end, Griffiths found some space inside the Dundee box before unleashing a right-footed shot which deflected off Matt Lockwood for a corner.
But after 20 minutes Benedictus broke the deadlock in style with a spectacular strike from 20 yards.
Jim McAlister's corner was only half-cleared by defender Lewis Stevenson and defender Benedictus turned neatly to send an unstoppable effort from his weaker left foot into the top corner past the helpless Williams.
That gave Dundee a massive lift although they were up in arms after 41 minutes when Milne appeared to have been brought down by Taiwo.
Iain Davidson played a pass to the on-rushing Milne 12 yards from goal, and just as he was about to pull the trigger, Taiwo appeared to take the legs of the Dundee striker. Referee Brian Colvin rejected the penalty claims, much to the anger of the home support.
Then, on the stroke of half-time, Davidson was unmarked just yards from goal but headed wide from McAlister's inch-perfect cross and the chance to go 2-0 in front went begging.
But after 48 minutes Dundee increased their lead.
Lockwood's inswinging free-kick was headed down by defender Declan Gallagher and Milne was on hand as he reacted first to prod the ball home from point-blank range.
And after 51 minutes they killed the contest by making it 3-0.
Former Hibernian hitman Colin Nish was brought down by Alan Maybury as they both chased Gallagher's through-ball.
This time Colvin pointed straight to the spot and midfielder McBride stepped up to send the penalty past Williams who had no chance, to send Dens Park wild with delight.
Dundee attacked the visitors' goal towards the end, looking for a fourth goal, and not even Griffiths' late 25-yard strike could spoil their day.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG