Dundee 3-2 St Johnstone

Dundee secured their first Scottish Premiership win of the season and inflicted St Johnstone's maiden league defeat this term.

A-Jay Leitch-Smith struck either side of half-time to put the hosts two up.

Liam Craig replied with a penalty for Saints and the visitors had a Steven Anderson goal disallowed.

Sofien Moussa then netted a spot-kick for the hosts but Craig converted another penalty after Dundee's Darren O'Dea had been sent off.

Craig (right) scored his first goals this term but could not prevent a St Johnstone defeat

Dundee got off to just the start manager Neil McCann was hoping for. O'Dea's header was travelling towards the far post but Mannus looked like he had it covered.

But as the keeper went to ground he fumbled the ball and Leitch-Smith had the simple task of prodding it home from just two yards for his first Dundee goal.

St Johnstone tried to hit back through their most potent weapon. Michael O'Halloran cruised into the Dundee box before unleashing a shot which Scott Bain did well to save.

Randy Wolters replaced the injured Roarie Deacon and within a minute of coming on made an impact. After a dangerous run down the right the Dutch winger fired a shot on target, but Mannus saved.

In the second half Dundee kept the pressure up and Mannus was called into action again. Faissal El Bakhtaoui struck from 20 yards and Mannus had to dive to palm the shot away.

The end product continues to be a problem for the home side and this was underlined by El Bakhtaoui lofting his shot high over the bar when clean through.

But Dundee managed to fashion another clear chance, and it would be a massive goal for the home side. The ball arrived at the feet of Leitch-Smith inside the six-yard box and the Englishman fired home to send Dens Park wild.

Moussa's penalty proved to be the winner

Then a lifeline for St Johnstone. Dundee keeper Bain brought down Denny Johnstone's replacement Graham Cummins and referee Alan Muir pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Craig to make it 2-1.

Moments later St Johnstone thought they had equalised. Craig with the corner and Steven Anderson rose highest to head home, but it was ruled out for pushing in the box.

Almost straight away, Dundee were awarded a penalty of their own. This time Anderson fouled Leitch-Smith and Moussa scored the spot-kick to put the home side into a 3-1 lead.

But there was more drama to come as St Johnstone were awarded another penalty. This time O'Dea was the culprit and the Dundee captain was given his marching orders for a second booking after fouling Anderson. Liam Craig again netted.

The match had become tense, physical and hugely competitive and suddenly St Johnstone looked galvanised as they took on the Dundee 10 men in the final stages.

The fourth official was also involved as there were angry verbal exchanges between managers Tommy Wright and McCann and Dundee assistant Graham Gartland was sent to the stand.

There were no more clear-cut chances, though, as Dundee held on.