Goals from Mark Wilson and Jim McIntyre handed Dundee United their first win over Tayside rivals Dundee for over three years and moved the club to within touching distance of safety in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Wilson's mis-hit free-kick split the teams after a goalless first half, but plucky Dundee - as they have done so often in this fixture - fought back and grabbed an equaliser through top-scorer Steve Lovell.

The Dark Blues' joy was short-lived, however, as McIntyre struck from point-blank range to hand Gordon Chisholm's team their first win over Dundee since April 2002.

Jim Duffy's men, who have lost their last three fixtures, had Tom McManus sent off in the dying minutes and will be without him for a nervous trip to Dunfermline next weekend.

Dundee had the better of the early play but, with the opening exchanges fought in traditional frenetic derby manner, the only sight of goal they had during their ascendancy was an innocuous Garry Brady effort which trundled wide.

United took a full quarter-hour to ease into gear, but created two wonderful chances in as many minutes. Barry Robson sat out the last derby and was clearly in the mood to make up for lost time.

His wicked corner kick in the 15th minute swung violently inside the six-yard box, forcing Derek Soutar to backtrack and desperately punch clear. United, whose midfield boasted by far the more creative line-up, came agonisingly close to the all-important opening goal two minutes later.

Joel Kitamarike hauled down Robson on the right-hand side of the penalty box, allowing dead-ball expert Wilson the chance to have a direct shot on goal. The Scotland Future star, rumoured to be a summer target for Celtic, whipped in a ferocious bending effort which caught Soutar on the back foot but a matter of inches on the woodwork saved his blushes.

Duffy's plans were dealt a blow mid-way through the first-half when Caballero hobbled off. The Argentinian playmaker picked up a knock early in the match and tried to run it off, but eventually admitted defeat and was replaced by John Sutton.

United finished the first half on the attack and had Dundee defending for their lives in the final minutes. Robson's trickery had caused Kitamarike problems all afternoon and once again the winger whipped the ball beyond him into the six-yard box.

McIntyre met it to strike a sweet volley only a a few yards from goal and surely thought he had scored - until Bobby Mann bravely threw his body into the way and sent the ball round the post.

In the end it was the foolishness of Kenneth - who flopped to the ground under the merest of touches from a defender - which gave the Dark Blues much-needed respite and allowed them into the sanctity of the dressing-room with their goal intact.

United's good play continued after the re-start and Crawford lit up the game with a sublime show of skill in the 47th minute. He killed a cross from the right on his chest, before flicking it over Mann's head to engineer a shooting angle.

There was a definite sense of danger from the visitors and it eventually came in the 52nd minute. This season's Tayside derbies have been characterised by mistakes and once again it was a series of errors which led to United's goal.

Kitamarike's handball allowed Wilson an almost identical free-kick opportunity to the one he smacked the bar with early in the game. This time, as luck would have it, he did not get anywhere near the same quality of contact with the ball but that sent it skimming beyond Soutar's wall, past Smith's outstretched leg and into the bottom left corner.

Smith's attempt to intervene was the crucial moment as it blocked the goalkeeper's view of the incoming shot and gave him no chance to move accordingly.

United went close to adding a second in the 59th minute, but Crawford was unable to steer Stuart Duff's defence-splitting pass on target.

That miss proved costly, as Dundee strode up-field to grab the equaliser.

Lovell completely destroyed Ritchie with his pace and, after leaving the former Rangers defender in his wake, was scythed down by Kenneth. The Englishman stepped up to take the award himself and sent a shot fizzing into Bullock's net.

The goal lifted Dundee and Iain Anderson was confident enough to have a go from 25 yards. His powerful half-volley flew straight at Bullock, but had so much power behind it that he could only palm it to safety.

Their spirits were soon sunk, howeer, as the appearance of Jason Scotland - as a substitute for Crawford - allowed United to grab their second of the afternoon. The pacy Trinidadian chased a loose ball on the right byline before cutting it back to McIntyre, who was standing only a yard from goal and prodded home.

United brought on Derek McInnes to shore up the game and were playing down time when McManus completely lost his cool and chopped down Robson, receiving a straight red card.

Teams

Dundee Soutar, McDonald, Mann, Smith (Larsen 84), Kitamirike (McNally 73), McManus, Brady, Anderson, Robb, Lovell, Caballero (Sutton 18).

Subs Not Used: Dubourdeau, Fotheringham, Barrett, Robertson.

Sent Off: McManus (88).

Goals: Lovell 64 pen.

Dundee Utd Bullock, Kenneth, Ritchie, Archibald, Wilson, Kerr, Brebner (McInnes 71), Duff, Robson, Crawford (Scotland 67), McIntyre (Grady 90).

Subs Not Used: Colgan, Samuel, Dodds, Gardiner.

Booked: Kenneth, McInnes.

Goals: Wilson 52, McIntyre 70.

Att: 11,263

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).