An incredible second half fightback gave Dundee a 4-1 win over Motherwell at Dens Park.

The home side had gone in at the interval 1-0 down thanks to a Don Goodman strike in the 13th minute.

But in a crazy 10-minute period early in the second half James Grady scored twice and was then sent off for two bookable offences.

Patrizio Billio, with a penalty, and Francesco Luna, with his first goal for his new club, capped a tremendous second half display.

The visitors finished the game with only nine men, Jamie McGowan being sent off for a foul on Grady and Stephen McMillan being carried off after the visitors had used all their substitutes.

Both sides took time to settle into the game but it was James Grady who came close in the fifth minute when he surged into the Motherwell box only to see his shot blocked by his team-mate Luna, making his first start for the Dark Blues.

In the tenth minute Dundee midfielder Billio tried his luck with a 25-yard shot but his effort went harmlessly past Stephen Woods right hand post.

But three minutes late it was the visitors who took the lead. Don Goodman picked up a lose ball at the edge of the box and his low drive somehow slipped under the body of Dundee keeper Rab Douglas.

The goal gave confidence to the visitors who still have European hopes, and they were looking dangerous on the break.

Goodman again caused havoc in the Dundee box with a header from 18 yards but Lee Wilkie stretched to clear for a corner.

Dundee missed a great chance to equalise in the 33rd minute after a disastrous defensive mistake by Motherwell.

McGowan took a short free kick which was intercepted by Luna who sent Grady clean through on goal with only Woods to beat.

The Dundee striker made a hash of going round the keeper and when he eventually got his shot in McGowan had raced back to head off the line.

Minutes later Grady had another great chance but his shot from 18 yards was straight upwards.

The game turned on his head in an incredible three-minute spell early in the second period. Dundee equalised in the 52nd minute which sparked off a series of dramatic events.

Billio had a shot from 20 yards which fell to the feet of Grady who eventually netted at the second time of asking.

A minute later Motherwell's troubles were compounded when McGowan was ordered off for fouling Grady, referee McDonald judging the defender to be the last man.

From the free kick which Steven Boyack swung over to the back post Dundee defender Lee Wilkie headed against the bar and again Grady was on hand to score from a yard out.

It was an amazing turnaround in the game and the home crown were delirious with joy.

Incredibly, in the 62nd minute, Grady was again to make his mark on the game … this time for the wrong reasons.

Having been booked for celebrating his first goal Grady was booked again for diving in the Motherwell box and consequently Dundee were down to 10 men.

With 10 minutes to go Dundee sealed the three points from the penalty spot.

Luna was brought down by Motherwell substitute Stephen Craigan and Billio stepped up to send Woods the wrong way.

Then with four minutes to go Dundee capped a great second half display when Luna headed home a Barry Smith cross.

Teams:

Dundee: Douglas, Smith, Wilkie, Ireland, Maddison, Boyack (Artero 78), Rae, Billio, Robertson, Grady, Luna (Annand 87).

Subs Not Used: Miller, Langfield, Bayne.

Sent Off: Grady (61).

Booked: Grady.

Goals: Grady 52, 54, Billio 81 pen, Luna 86.

Motherwell: Woods, Corrigan, McGowan, Kemble, McMillan, Brannan, J. Davies (Nicholas 76), Adams, Twaddle, McCulloch, Goodman.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Nevin, Craigen, Curcic.

Sent Off: McGowan (53).

Booked: Corrigan, Adams, McCulloch.

Goals: Goodman 15.

Att: 4,701

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).