Airdrie recorded their highest win of the season so far, but manager Sandy Stewart still reckoned his side had played better and his real target was consistency of performance at this level.
The game had barely kicked off when Brian McPhee scored only his second goal of the season after just 13 seconds. Ironically, the last goal he scored was in the CIS Cup against Dundee!
Bryan Prunty was the creator with a nifty pass through the heart of the Dundee defence. McPhee was on to it in a flash and drifted past the weak challenge of Bobby Mann. With only the keeper to beat he took his time before prodding the ball home.
After 25 minutes Prunty tried a long-range effort that forced Derek Soutar into a spectacular dive resulting in a finger-tip save to his right.
However, a minute later McPhee added his second of the afternoon. A corner from Stephen McDougall was over-hit and Alan McManus collected it at the other side of the box. He then lobbed the ball over the keeper to where McPhee loitered amongst a ruck of defenders. The Airdrie striker rose highest and headed home from point-blank range.
In the second half the spirits of the visiting fans seemed to hit rock bottom, a fact reflected in the chorus of one their songs ''What about a shot on goal?"
McPhee was involved in Airdrie's third when his cross struck the hand of Mann. 'Mann handled,' if you like! The referee was in no doubt that it was deliberate and a spot-kick was awarded. Stephen McKeown took the kick and easily converted.
Dundee's afternoon of misery was complete seven minutes from time when Martin Hardie ghosted past the dispirited visiting defence before slotting home from six yards.