Both sides went into the game on the back of excellent results in their previous matches with Dundee fresh from a derby win last Saturday and Motherwell looking to build on the five-goal hammering of Livingston in mid week.
It took until the 14th minute for either side to create any sort of a chance.
Dundee's Stephen McNally cut in from the right and his shot was blocked by David Partridge for a corner, from which Motherwell broke to the other end. Richie Foran's surging run produced a save from Derek Soutar in the visiting goal.
Motherwell's Gordon Marshall was called into action in the 20th minute when he was forced to beat out a shot from an acute angle from Steve Lovell.
On the half hour mark Soutar had to look smart to save a downward header from David Clarkson. Motherwell had a narrow escape as Marshall half saved a John Sutton effort and Paul Quinn was left to tidy up and sweep the ball clear.
As half time approached Motherwell won their first corner. Steven Hammell's kick to the back post was not dealt with by either side, and as the ball fell back into the danger area Clarkson forced the ball over the line to give the Well a half-time lead. Dundee protested that the ball had not crossed the line.
Motherwell tried to build on their lead right from kick off and Soutar was called on to make a fine diving save from Foran after only four minutes. The goal was only delayed temporarily. Two minutes later Foran's header was initially cleared off the line by Barry Smith, and when Jamie Paterson fired in a shot Smith could not prevent the ball crossing the line.
Motherwell effectively clinched the game in the 64th minute when Quinn's crossfield ball was met powerfully by the head of Paterson, whose effort left Soutar stranded.
Dundee did continue to work hard to take something from the game, and Marshall had to tip a Fotheringham free-kick over the bar as they sought that consolation goal.