A Kane Hemmings double gave Dundee a 2-1 win over Partick Thistle - their third victory at Firhill this season.

With both clubs keen to finish best of the rest in the bottom half of the Ladbrokes Premiership, the Dens Park striker gave the Taysiders the lead in the 34th minute with a near post flick.

Jags' counterpart Kris Doolan levelled with a header in the 70th minute but in the 81st minute Hemmings restored the visitors' lead with a drive for his 25th goal of the season to take the seventh placed Dees three points clear of their hosts.

Both sides had missed out on the top six finish on the last day before the split and both managers had selection problems.

Dundee boss Paul Hartley was unable to name a full bench due to suspension, injury and illness, with only four substitutes available.

With defender Dan Seaborne and Callum Booth suspended, manager Alan Archibald moved Gary Miller into the middle of the defence to partner Liam Lindsay - who came into the starting line-up along with right-back Christie Elliott, midfielder Aidan Nesbitt and Doolan.

Thistle had the best of the early play. Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain blocked a close-range effort from Jags' attacker Ryan Edwards in the 12th minute after a fine pass from Stevie Lawless, making his 150th appearance for Thistle, opened up the Dees defence.

The Taysiders should have taken the lead soon afterwards when captain Gary Harkins was played in by Greg Stewart but he missed the target from 12 yards.

However, in the 34th minute the Dens Park side forged ahead with a fine breakaway goal.

Right-back Paul McGinn accepted a Stewart pass then raced down the right before firing a low cross in for Hemmings to guide past Jags keeper Ryan Scully and high into the net.

Thistle pressed from the start of the second half and the scrambling Bain got his fingertips to a Doolan shot in the 51st minute but the corner came to nothing.

On the hour, however, only fine block by Scully from Stewart's close-range effort prevented Dundee doubling their lead - before Jags midfielder Sean Welsh tested Bain with a long-range drive.

With 20 minutes remaining Thistle got the leveller their pressure deserved when Doolan converted a cross from skipper Abdul Osman.

Dundee stepped up their efforts and after having a shot blocked by Scully, Hemmings made no mistake when he was sent through by Stewart, slipping the ball past the Thistle keeper with some confidence for what turned out to be the winner.