Paul Hartley became an instant hit as Dundee clambered back to the top of the Championship against nine-man Hamilton.

A crowd of 5000-plus turned up to watch the new manager's first game and they gave him a rousing reception.

There was further acclaim just six minutes into the game when Martin Boyle struck the goal that was to prove sufficient for victory. Boyle scored his first goal for the club when he won the ball and rounded Kevin Cuthbert to net.

He almost scored his second a few minutes later from Peter MacDonald's cross, but his shot slipped narrowly wide. Gary Irvine headed over from Ryan Conroy's corner as Dundee looked to add to their lead. Cuthbert denied Boyle again with a block as Dundee put Hamilton under sustained pressure.

But the visitors came back into it before half-time and Darian MacKinnon had a good chance, but from 10 yards out, could not keep his shot down.

Hamilton were reduced to 10 men early in the second half when substitute Stephen Hendrie picked up his second booking for a foul on Boyle.

Ziggy Gordon was later sent off after a second booking for another foul on Boyle, who had to endure some tough treatment. It was an eventful game for the Dundee striker, but he was rewarded with the man-of-the-match award.