Paul Hartley’s reign as Dundee boss could scarcely have started better as the Dark Blues saw off nine-man Hamilton.
Martin Boyle’s strike after just six minutes proved to be the only goal of the game, and it was enough to send Dundee back to the top of the Championship by virtue of Falkirk’s loss to Queen of the South.
Boyle pounced following a headed flick-on by Peter MacDonald, rounding goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert and keeping his composure to score.
Accies posed little threat all afternoon and saw their task made all the harder in 51 minutes when substitute Stephen Hendrie was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The visitors were then reduced to nine men in 61 minutes as Ziggy Gordon was given his marching orders, again for a second yellow card.
Hartley would have been delighted with the enthusiasm and commitment shown from his players and most, if not all, of the 5,206 fans at Dens Park would say they merited their win over the piece.
Having said that, it was perhaps nervier than it should have been heading into the closing stages.
The new manager, who took over on Wednesday following the departure of John Brown, was warmly applauded by the home supporters before and after the game, and those fans will be hoping their team’s form can continue in a similar vein for the rest of the season.