United took the lead after just 15 minutes after James McPake went off injured Spittal scoring with a well taken free kick. Scott Bain got close but it was right in the corner. Dundee were up against it and Bain had a couple of good saves and Holt had to knock one off the line to keep the score at 0-1.
Dundee levelled just before half-time when a high cross into the box forced the United keeper to punch the ball weakly and Kane Hemmings was on hand to smash the ball home to send Dens wild with delight.
Into the second half and Dundee looked more solid at the back and took the game to United and they took the lead after 61 minutes. Harkins' free kick was cleared only as far as Nick Ross, on the edge of the penalty area. His shot flicked off Sean Dillon to leave Kawashima helpless.
After this Dundee did not look in any danger of not winning the game, a third goal nearly came when great play from Cammy Kerr put Paul McGowan clear but Kawashima puled off a good save to touch his shot round the post.
So a great three points to start he year and puts the club 16 points ahead of Dundee United. Best wishes for James McPake hope his recovery is a successful one.
Dundee: Bain, McGinn, McPake (Gadazhalov 14), Konrad, Holt, Kerr (Irvine 76), McGowan, Ross, Low, Harkins (Thomson 70), Hemmings. Unused Subs: Mitchell, Loy, Calder, Skelly
Ref: Kevin Clancy.
Att: 11,025
