MATCH REPORT: DUNDEE 1 HAMILTON 0
Dundee all but secured their Ladbrokes Premiership status following a 1-0 win over fellow relegation battlers Hamilton at Dens Park.
The home side had the best of the first half and deserved the lead given to them by left-back Kevin Holt's 18th minute drive.
Accies improved after the break but dramatically spurned the chance to level in the 86th minute when skipper Dougie Imrie saw his penalty saved by Dundee keeper Elliott Parish.
With two post-split fixtures remaining Dundee are six points ahead of relegation play-off spot occupants Partick Thistle and with a superior goal difference, with bottom side Ross County a further two points adrift.
Bottom side County and Thistle had fought out a 1-1 draw in Glasgow on Friday night, leaving a big incentive for both sides in this lunchtime kick-off on Tayside.
Amid a scrappy opening to the game there was a long stoppage after Dundee's Mark O'Hara and Accies' Danny Redmond clashed heads, the former needing lengthy treatment before continuing.
Holt's goal came courtesy of enterprising wide man Craig Wighton who, after taking a Glen Kamara pass on the left, got past Hamilton defender Shaun Want before cutting the ball back to the Dens Park defender.
He drilled a left-footed shot past Hamilton keeper Gary Woods and into the far corner of the net for his second goal of the season.
The Lanarkshire side, seemingly realising their predicament, forced a couple of corners in quick response but Dundee defended resolutely and finished the half strongly, with striker Simon Murray and defender Steven Caulker going close with headers.
Hamilton replaced keeper Woods with Ryan Fulton for the start of the second half with Dundee's Lewis Spence on for O'Hara.
In the 49th minute striker Rakish Bingham struck the outside of the post with a 25-yard free-kick, Darian MacKinnon went close with a drive from the edge of the box and then Parish blocked an angled drive from Bingham at his near post.
In the 68th minute Accies substitute Antonio Rojano, on for Redmond, stooped to head a delivery from Kenny van der Weg inches past the post, a near miss that increased anxiety levels among the home fans, who saw Daniel Jefferies come on to make his debut for Deacon.
Jefferies, however, conceded a penalty with four minutes remaining for barging striker Marios Ogkmpoe inside the box.
But there were Dundee cheers of relief all round when Parish threw himself down to his right to block Imrie's spot kick which all but secured Dundee's status into the bargain.