DUNDEE recovered from losing their captain to injury and falling a goal behind in the first half of an action-packed derby encounter with Dundee United to claim a 2-1 triumph at Dens Park.

The hard-fought win strengthened their bid to finish in the top six of the Ladbrokes Premiership table – and dealt a further blow to their city rival’s hopes of staying up in the top flight this season.

It was a difficult debut for new United signing Eiji Kawashima – the Japanese internationalist who only arrived in this country last week was at fault for Dundee's opening goal.

Gavin Gunning nearly gifted the home team a goal in the seventh minute when his attempted passback to Kawashima fell short and was intercepted by Kane Hemmings.

The ball spun out to Dundee striker Gary Harkins whose low shot was easily gathered by the debutant. It was a let off for the visitors.

It was Mixu Paatelainen’s side, though, which looked far brighter and more likely to score in the early exchanges of the match. They took the lead in the 15th minute.

Scott Fraser played a corner to John Rankin outside the box in the tenth minute and his team mate failed to control the ball.

As he tried to take a shot, Dundee centre half James McPake slid in and won the ball. However, he injured his knee in the process.

The defender required extensive treatment from Dundee medical staff before being stretchered off – to a standing ovation from both sets of supporters - and being replaced by Kostadin Gadzhalov.

Referee Kevin Clancy ruled that McPake had fouled his opponent and awarded United a free-kick in a dangerous area when play resumed after a five minute stoppage.

Blair Spittal stepped up a curled a superb shot beyond Dundee keeper and into the top left corner of goal to edge his side in front.

United striker Billy McKay tested Bain with a shot shortly afterwards as their city rivals struggled to adapt to the difficult wet conditions the match was being played in.

But, slowly but surely, Dundee clawed their way back into the side and finished an incident-packed first half by far the strong of the two sides.

Nicky Low teed up Kane Hemmings for a shot in the 27th minute with an outstanding delivery from wide on the right wing.

The striker skipped past Paul Dixon, who slipped on the sodden turf, and forced Kawashima into making another save with a shot from an acute angle.

United’s players claimed Demal had headed the ball over the line at another Fraser corner. But the match official correctly decided that first Bain and then Kevin Holt had kept it out.

Dundee keeper Bain and United midfielder Guy Demel were both booked for Clancy for becoming embroiled in altercations as tempers flared. Nick Ross was also cautioned for a blatant foul on Demel as he charged upfield.

Paul Hartley’s team drew level four minutes before half-time thanks to a blunder from Kawashima at a Low free-kick.

The former Standard Liege man failed to deal with the high ball into his six yard box and Hemmings netted from close range with a left foot shot.

Ross, who only moved to Dens Park in the summer, sewed up the three points with his first goal for Dundee in the 62 minute.

The midfielder’s shot from the edge of the area deflected off Sean Dillon and spun beyond Kawishima.

Demal was ordered off for a second bookable offence for a foul on Low with seven minutes remaining to kill off their hopes of drawing level.