Dundee 1-4 Dundee United

Dundee United went top of the Scottish Premiership table after ending city rivals Dundee's unbeaten record in comprehensive fashion.

Mario Bilate's penalty gave the visitors a first-half advantage.

Ryan Dow doubled their lead after the break, then headers by Callum Morris and Keith Watson made it 4-0.

Dundee's Thomas Konrad was sent off after receiving his second booking before Greg Stewart scored an injury-time consolation for the hosts.

That, though, could not prevent United moving above Inverness at the top of the division on goals scored.

Paul Hartley's men will have a chance for revenge in the League Cup at Tannadice on Wednesday but must improve on their performance in the 127th league meeting of the sides if they are to record their first derby win in a decade.

Jackie McNamara's side had lost just once - against Celtic - and were three points clear of their neighbours ahead of the first of two meetings in four days.

But Dundee had the better of the frantic opening exchanges, settling quicker and passing the ball with real purpose.

Yet it was United who had the better chances as Dow's header drew a save from Kyle Letheren and Chris Erskine drove a shot wide from distance.

As the early pace dropped, the visitors began to enjoy more possession and Dundee defender James McPake had to clear a Gary Mackay-Steven cross from under the crossbar.

Mario Bilate beats Dundee goalkeeper Kyle Letheren from the spot to put United into the lead

Yet the lively Mackay-Steven would make a more decisive contribution soon afterwards by winning a penalty kick. Paul Paton did the groundwork by winning the ball in midfield and allowing Mackay-Steven to burst into the box, where he was clumsily challenged by defender Konrad.

Referee Steven McLean pointed to the spot and booked the German stopper before Bilate tucked the ball into Letheren's bottom right-hand corner.

Dundee lifted the tempo in the wake of that setback and had a good look at the United goal when Gary Harkins picked out the onrushing Philip Roberts superbly at the far post, but the former Arsenal youth player drilled his effort narrowly wide.

The hosts were full of energy and endeavour at the start of the second period, with playmaker Paul McGowan coming into the game much more.

But their hopes were hampered by another self-inflicted wound.

This time United's John Rankin robbed Jim McAlister of possession in the final third and Dow drifted into the box before skidding the ball low past Letheren.

United defender Callum Morris heads home his side's third goal of the game against their city rivals

A third goal soon followed, Morris getting ahead of Konrad at the near post to flick a teasing Paton free-kick into the net for his first goal for the club.

Watson then made a brilliant last-ditch block to deny Harkins before popping up in the other box to score the fourth goal, nodding in at the back post from another Paton free-kick.

Substitute Blair Spittal dragged a shot just wide as United tried to heighten the misery for the home support, with the boisterous away support chanting, "We want five".

Dundee defender Konrad headed up the tunnel a few minutes before his team-mates after his challenge on Scott Smith earned him a second yellow and a red.

But Stewart did give the home fans who had not headed for the exits something to cheer in stoppage time when he arrowed a fine left-footed shot past Radoslaw Cierzniak.