Scottish Premiership: Dundee ease past St Johnstone at Dens Park

Kane Hemmings netted twice as Dundee eased to a 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at a soggy Dens Park.

The striker opened the scoring midway through the first half before notching his second shortly after the break.

The win moves the Dark Blues into fifth spot in the Scottish Premiership table, as they swapped places with Saints whose poor run of form continued.

And it was a well-deserved three points for the hosts who dominated the early stages with Gary Harkins, Greg Stewart and Hemmings all having efforts on goal.

Darnell Fisher fired wide for St Johnstone before Hemmings grabbed his first as Dundee pressure finally paid off in the 22nd minute.

Keeper Alan Mannus could only parry Stewart's low shot and Hemmings pounced to knock in the rebound from close range.

Hemmings went close again, while Danny Swanson's attempted cross for the visitors floated over keeper Scott Bain and onto the roof of the net.

Although Saints began the second half brightly, it was Dundee who doubled their advantage on the break in the 51st minute, when the quick thinking Harkins fed Hemmings who raced clear to blast home his second of the Tayside Derby from just inside the box.

With persistent rain making the playing surface treacherous under foot, Stewart almost added a third goal just after the hour mark when he crashed a long range effort against the bar.

Darren O'Dea was fortunate to escape a red card for stamping on Steven Anderson, when Saints should have been awarded a penalty.

Liam Craig and Fisher tested Bain during the final 10 minutes but the visitors came up short once again and have now taken just two points out of a possible 21.