Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

James McPake opened the scoring for Dundee

First-half goals from James McPake and Kane Hemmings set up Dundee for three points against their Tayside rivals.

McPake grabbed his second goal in two games as he volleyed the home side ahead from a Nicky Low corner.

The excellent Low set up Kane Hemmings for the second, finding the striker's head with a fine cross.

Steven MacLean brought Saints back into it, but there was to be no equaliser as Dundee recorded only their second home win over St Johnstone since 2008.

Kevin Thomson and Rory Loy failed to recover from knocks suffered in the Dundee derby, so Paul McGowan and Low started for the home side.

Saints club captain Dave Mackay returned to the heart of the defence, with Chris Millar and MacLean also included.

The home side were quickly on the attack but Greg Stewart's volley at the back post failed to trouble Alan Mannus in the Saints goal.

St Johnstone had a penalty shout turned down when Michael O'Halloran tumbled under a challenge by Paul McGinn, but referee Kevin Clancy waved away the claims.

The home side responded by taking the lead after 15 minutes. Low swung in a corner from the left and McPake acrobatically twisted to send a left-foot volley high into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Gary Harkins and McGinn came close to adding a second before Scott Bain denied Saints an equaliser with a magnificent one-handed save from a Graham Cummins volley.

Paul Hartley's side doubled their advantage before the break. Low found space down the left and sent in an inch-perfect cross for Hemmings, who cushioned a header into the back of the net.

Eight minutes into the second half, Saints clawed their way back into the game when MacLean knocked the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box after a good run and cross by O'Halloran down the right.

Kane Hemmings scored Dundee's second goal against St Johnstone at Dens Park

Nick Ross then missed two golden opportunities to regain the two-goal advantage for Dundee. His first effort was saved by Mannus when clean through, then the midfielder had a fresh air shot from just six yards out with the goal gaping.

St Johnstone introduced John Sutton and Simon Lappin but failed to make the breakthrough with the home side collecting all three points.