FOR one day at least, the football community of Dundee really will be united.

The city of discovery will find a rare sense of unity tomorrow in the shared hope the Tannadice side can snap out of their 10-match winless slump against Hamilton Accies.

Regardless of the outcome of Dundee's second Tayside derby in four days, this time against St Johnstone, a United victory against Hamilton would be celebrated with equal fervour city-wide. That alone would be sufficient to secure top-six football for both halves of the city's footballing equation.

Right now, though, it is Dundee who have a spring in their step, courtesy of a thoroughly deserved first victory in the jute city derby since November 2004. While the burgeoning talent that is Greg Stewart was the star turn in their 3-1 victory on Wednesday night - he scored one and set up the other two - the clinching goal was Paul Heffernan's first since arriving from Hibs. The Irishman might not have been there long enough to fully appreciate the decade-long angst which preceded it, but he dedicated the victory to the fans.

"It [ending the record] was a big motivating factor for us," said Heffernan. "Obviously a lot of us haven't been here that long. But for the sake of the fans who hadn't seen the club winning a derby in such a long time, it was more for them really. We just prepared like we did for any other game. We did our homework on them, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses and actually did that very well. I was delighted for the fans. I'm sure they will enjoy this one."

After what could kindly be termed a quiet start to life as a Dundee player, Heffernan hopes such a high profile goal can help him get up to speed. Most at the ground were surprised that David Clarkson, fresh from breaking a 12-match scoring duck, had been left on the bench.

"People remember big games like derbies," the Irishman said. "They can define players. Obviously the fact it's on the TV and stuff like that makes it special. It's always nice to get a good performance and a game like this because a lot of people are watching.

"Hopefully this will kick-start my career here now," he added. "It's been a time coming. I've picked up a few niggles and injuries since I've been here so hopefully - touch wood - I can stay fit and get in the team and score some more goals between now and the end of the season."

Plenty of Scottish football's issues are resolved, but both Dundee sides have much to aim for in the remainder of this campaign. Only two points separate these two city rivals in the table, and Heffernan expects United to get out of the problems which has followed the controversial sale of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic in January.

"It would be a bit ironic [if a United win took them into the top six]," admitted Heffernan. "But we go to St Johnstone and we know we're definitely in the top six if we win through there. That's what we will be focusing on. They've been going through a bit of a sticky patch but they're a good side and I'm sure they will come good again.

"When I was at Hibs, we played them early on in the season in the cup and they were a very good side," he added. "In fact, whenever I seem to play them, they're good. So not to have won in ten games is a long time. It would be perfect if they come good against Hamilton on Saturday."