Dundee fans hoping for some festive cheer at Dens were left bitterly disappointed as their heroes crashed to a dismal defeat against a St Mirren side that started the day rock bottom of the Premiership.
The Dark Blues misery was compounded when Paul McGinn was dismissed after giving away the penalty that led to the third goal.
The Buddies took the lead in the 28th minute when Kenny McLean lashed home a cut-back from just inside the Dundee penalty area.
The home side were stunned once more in the 68th minute when St Mirren’s Stephen Mallan embarked on an incredible jinking run past a succession of Dark Blues defenders before calmly hitting a 20-yard curling shot past the diving Kyle Letheren in the Dundee goal.
A bad day for Paul Hartley’s side then became much worse 10 minutes later with McGinn bringing down McLean in the home penalty area with referee Don Robertson awarding a spot-kick and then showing the Dundee defender a red card.
McLean picked himself up and smashed the penalty high past Letheren to make it three and easy for St Mirren.
The home fans finally had something to cheer about in the 84th minute when Gary Irvine pulled one back with a shot from 12 yards but it was too little too late from Dundee.
See Monday’s Courier for full report, reaction and analysis.