Dundee leapfrogged Aberdeen to move up to eighth in the Scottish Premiership after inflicting title-chasing Motherwell’s first league defeat since December.
It means Steven Pressley’s side have narrowed the gap to Dundee United in seventh to just two points and ease their relegation fears.
Motherwell, who had the opportunity to put pressure on Rangers and Celtic above them, suffered their first defeat in the league since 27 December at Ibrox.
Despite a typically impressive start for the visitors, it was Dundee who struck first.
Moments after a stunning save from goalkeeper Jon McCracken to keep out Lukas Fadinger, Dundee raced up the other end to open the scoring.
Drey Wright’s ball to the back post was met by Tony Yogane and the on-loan Brentford midfielder smashed the ball off the ground and through the legs of goalkeeper Calum Ward for the first senior goal of his career.
Motherwell were dealt a further blow when influential midfielder Fadinger had to be replaced before the break.
However, Jens Berthel Askou’s side flew out the traps in the second half and had numerous chances to level the tie.
Callum Slattery slashed wide, Elliot Watt fired over the bar and Elijah Just’s looping free-kick zipped over the crossbar, but nothing stuck.
Ashley Hay, who replaced Simon Murray in the second half, thought he had doubled Dundee’s advantage, but the offside flag was quickly raised.
Another wave of Motherwell attack passed and Dundee broke again as Cameron Congreve smashed an effort off the Motherwell crossbar.
Slattery fired Motherwell level with 10 minutes to play with a thunderous free-kick that flew beyond McCracken in the Dundee goal.
However, Joe Westley found fellow substitute Fin Robertson inside the Motherwell box following a lovely passage of play and the 23-year-old slotted beyond the Motherwell goalkeeper to restore Dundee’s advantage.
Pressley’s men are now 17 points clear of bottom side Livingston, while Motherwell remain 10 points off leaders Heart of Midlothian.
