Kane Hemmings has done the damage for Dundee, with United looking blunt in attack.

Image source, SNS

There's more jostling as the teams go off for a break and this time it's on the sidelines as Dundee boss Paul Hartley gets involved with some of the United backroom staff. Words are exchanged and maybe a sly shove.

The home fans are baying for blood as Greg Stewart and Paul Dixon are embroiled in a tangle of legs, with the United full-back acting as if he's been kicked. It's all a bit silly and referee Steven McLean takes no action.

Kane Hemmings very nearly fluffed his lines for the second goal as his first swing at the ball inside the six yard box took the ball against his other foot and on its way in. He won't care a jot...

With two centre-halves out of commission, left-back Kevin Holt moves into the middle of defence, with Nicky Low acting as a makeshift full-back.

Uh-oh... Trouble in defence for Dundee as substitute Thomas Konrad is substituted after taking a bang to the leg. Nicky Low is on but he's a midfielder. Reshuffle required.

Dundee United fizz a couple of passes around the edge of the penalty box and it falls for Henri Anier, who is leaning back as he blazes a shot wide of the target.

Kane Hemmings wriggles free again and his shot from the angle of the six yard box is smothered by Eiji Kawashima after a lunging block from a defender had taken the sting out of it.

Kane Hemmings is growing into the game for Dundee, with the striker getting a couple of glimpses of the target without troubling the goalkeeper. The home defence will need to keep a close eye on him.

Another corner to Dundee and Gary Harkins drives one in the direction of Thomas Konrad, who rises well at the far post but can only nod the ball into the ground and wide from a promising position.

Now Dundee threaten and a headed clearance falls to Gary Harkins 15 yards out but the playermaker can't crash his shot through the cluster of bodies in front of him and it's deflected wide for a corner.

Blair Spittal, who has scored in the last three derbies, runs on to a headed flick from Billy McKay but the United midfielder's first-time effort from the edge of the box is skewed high and wide.

Both teams are perhaps in too much of a rush, with lots of passes going astray. Someone needs to put their foot on the ball, although that would be risking a real clattering as the tackles fly in.

A good spell for the visitors here as they force a couple of corners but United stand strong.

Now Dundee will make a change in defence as Kostadin Gadzhalov walks off wincing in pain from a shoulder injury, with Thomas Konrad taking his place.

Image source, SNS

Dundee midfielder Gary Harkins sizes up a shot from 20 yards, takes aim for the far corner, and... hits the roof of the stand.

Dundee launch a swift counter-attack, with Greg Stewart getting in behind the home defence. The ball strikes the hand of the attacker, then hits the hand of the defender - then hits the hand of the attacker. 

The officials don't appear to notice any of the three rapid handballs and play continues, with both sides complaining...

Thomas Konrad is stripped and ready and come on as Dundee defender Kostadin Gadzhalov takes a sore one but the big Bulgarian is able to carry on after a wee breather on the side of the pitch.