Dundee's recent signing Fabrizio Ravanelli made his long awaited competitive start this afternoon.
With seven minutes gone, the home team won a free kick 20 yards from goal, but with the home crowd anticipating a Ravanelli special the Italian fired high over the crossbar.
Julian Speroni denied ex-Dundee player Derek Fleming the opening goal then he did well to block the midfielder's close-range volley.
Nacho Novo went agonisingly close midway through the first half but his low angled drive scraped outside off Kenny Arthur's post.
Gerry Britton then saw his 12-yard shot saved by Speroni after great play by Andy Ross with just over half an hour played.
Arthur pulled off a great save to deny top scorer Novo when his 25-yard effort looked goalbound with 41 minutes played.
Eight minutes into the second half Dundee opened the scoring.
A brilliant through ball by Ravanelli sent Novo clear on goal, but the Spaniard rounded the keeper and slotted home from a tight angle.
Garry Brady played a good ball to Novo with 65 minutes on the clock and Novo did well to bring it down and send a drive goalwards which Arthur saved.
Britton went close with a low drive 13 minutes from time but his effort went just past the post.
After receiving a booking and being involved in a couple of tussles Ravanelli was replaced by Juan Sara.
In the final minute of the match a brilliant block by Dundee skipper Barry Smith denied Stuart Taylor when it looked like he was about to fire in an equaliser.
The visitors went all out for that equaliser in the four minutes of added time, but the home defence stood firm and Dundee collected all three points.