Dundee Utd1–0Dundee

Scott Crabbe and Mark Perry, who was making his first appearance of the season were the two changes made by Ivan Golac as he left out Jim Mclnally and Chris Myers from the side which drew at Raith Rovers.

Early on Dundee had the greater share of possession, but it didn't prevent United from taking the lead in the 33rd minute. Good work by Christian Dailly on the right allowed him to tee up Gary Bollan who sent a cross over to the far post where Mark Perry headed the ball back into the middle and Andy McLaren rose between Pittman and Mathers to nod the ball home. The goal had a settling effect on the tangerines who proceeded to enjoy their best spell of the match in the run up to the interval.

The second half opened in dramatic style. First Alan Main saved from Billy Dodds and then Andy McLaren cut through the Dundee defence on the right before Mathers blocked his shot and Dave Bowman fired the rebound over. With a little over half an hour to go, Dave Bowman became the first United player to be sent off this season after being booked for shoving Vrto and then being shown a yellow and a red card for over protesting his case! Dundee didn't really translate their numerical strength into chances, though Alan Main was happy to see a Paul Tosh cross graze the top of the bar after the ball had slipped out of his hands. The nearest Dundee came to an equaliser was when Farningham's diving header from a Frail cross was tipped over by Alan Main. In fact United could easily have wrapped up this ill-tempered derby when Christian Dailly was clean through, but Mathers came to the visitors rescue. United hang on though to record the first home win of the season.