Die-hard Dundee supporter Simon Murray achieved his lifelong goal of scoring a decisive goal against local rivals Dundee United as the Dark Blues advanced to the round of 16 of the Scottish Cup with their first victory over their city rivals in more than seven years.
The 32-year-old forward, who had previously played for United for two and a half years, expressed his aspiration to be the hero for Dundee in this match. His moment of glory came early on as his header in the first minute secured a 1-0 victory in this fiercely contested fourth-round match.
United applied pressure in the final stages of the game, but the home team held on to end their winless streak of eight matches in derby games since August 2017 and savor their first Scottish Cup win against United since 1956.
Dundee's manager Tony Docherty made one alteration to the team that drew 3-3 with Celtic in the William Hill Premiership last week, with Lyall Cameron replacing Josh Mulligan, who was absent due to illness.
United, who had previously won at Dens Park in the league just over two weeks ago, made two changes to the lineup that secured a 1-0 victory against St. Mirren in their last match, with Ross Graham and Louis Moult coming in for Ross Docherty and Glenn Middleton.
Striker Ruari Paton and midfielder Lewis Fiorini, who had joined United on loan earlier that day from Port Vale and Stockport respectively, were both included on the substitutes' bench.
Dundee started the game strongly and broke the deadlock in the opening minute when Murray connected with Fin Robertson's corner kick at the near post and guided a header into the net.
The fiery-haired forward, who had also scored first in the previous derby match, had another chance three minutes later when his curled shot from outside the box just cleared the crossbar.
Although United thought they had equalized in the ninth minute through top scorer Sam Dalby, the goal was disallowed as Will Ferry's cross from the left had gone out of play.
United missed a great opportunity to level the score just before the half-hour mark when Graham sent a close-range header over the bar from a Vicko Sevelj cross. Sevelj then found the back of the net from the edge of the box shortly after, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
As the first half approached its end, Dundee looked more likely to score, with Murray shooting wide after a menacing run towards the box.
The home team had a golden chance to extend their lead five minutes into the second half, but Cameron's shot went just over the bar after being set up by a pass from Murray inside the box.
United manager Jim Goodwin made three substitutions in the 71st minute, including introducing Paton for his debut, and his team started posing serious threats to the hosts in the final moments of the match.
Paton had a shot blocked just before the goal line by Ethan Ingram, and goalkeeper Trevor Carson made two crucial saves to deny Declan Gallagher and Ferry.
United continued to press in stoppage time, with Kristijan Trapanovski hitting the post with a shot before Middleton narrowly missed the target, but Dundee held on to end their long wait for a derby victory.