Dundee 2 Dundee Utd 1

Dundee piled more misery on 10-man city rivals Dundee United with a 2-1 win in the Scottish Premiership at Dens Park. The Dark Blues came from behind as goals from Kane Hemmings on the stroke of half-time and Nick Ross just after the hour mark cancelled out Blair Spittal's 15th minute opener from a free-kick for the visitors. It leave Mixu Paatelainen's men stranded at the foot of the table and staring relegation in the face unless they can spark a major revival in their fortunes in 2016. United's frustration boiled over when midfielder Guy Demel was sent off with seven minutes remaining for a second yellow card - and Paul Hartley's hosts held out for victory. United handed a debut to Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who had completed his move to Tannadice earlier in the week. For the hosts, striker Greg Stewart was suspended so Hemmings led the line on his own. Defender Cammy Kerr made his first Dundee start in the Premiership after being recalled from Peterhead. It was a brisk start in front of the live cameras and United almost gifted their rivals an early opener when Gavin Gunning's short backpass was interecpted by Hemmings - but Kawashima was quick off his line to clear. The ball went only as far as Gary Harkins, whose shot from 20 yards was held by Kawashima. Dundee suffered a setback in the 10th minute when captain James McPake was carried off after a collision with John Rankin. After a five-minute delay, McPake was carried from the field on a stretcher, replaced in central defence by Kostadin Gadzhalov. Referee Kevin Clancy awarded the free-kick against McPake and Spittal sent a glorious 23-yard set-piece high into the right-hand corner of Scott Bain's goal to give the visitors the lead. The Tangerines, buoyed by confidence, sought to add to their lead and Billy McKay saw a shot saved by Bain, before the on-loan Wigan forward shot over. Dundee threatened in the 27th minute after Nicky Low's long pass picked out the onrushing Hemmings inside the box. The striker turned and unleashed an effort at goal but again Kawashima was equal to the task. At the other end, John Rankin's 37th minute right-foot volley brought out a brilliant save from Bain. However, three minutes before the break Hemmings equalised. Kawashima could only punch Low's free-kick and Hemmings was on hand to guide a left-foot volley into the net from six yards. The second-half started with Spittal trying his luck with another free-kick, only to see his effort go wide on this occasion. But the hosts got the winner just past the hour mark. Ross turned 25 yards from goal and hit a left-foot shot on the spin which took a deflection off Sean Dillon, wrong-footed Kawashima and found the net. A few minutes later, McGowan drove right through the United defence but his shot was touched wide by Kawashima. Demel saw red with seven minutes left, capping another miserable afternoon for United.