An opportunist double by on-loan striker Dyron Daal earned Dundee a win that leaves Airdrie United a point adrift at the bottom of Division One.
Ian Harty fired Airdrie ahead after robbing Dundee captain Gary McKenzie in the 17th minute.
But Daal looped in a header from an Alex Rae cross nine minutes later.
And the Dutchman on loan from Aberdeen scored again 11 minutes later, heading home following a fine ball in by fellow striker Bob Davidson.
Dundee: Roy, Shields, MacKenzie (Higgins 63), Gary Smith, Griffin, Gates, Rae, McHale, Swankie, Davidson, Daal (Lyle 73).
Subs Not Used: Clark, Kevin Smith, Forsyth.
Booked: McHale, Daal.
Goals: Daal 28, 56.
Airdrie Utd: Robertson, Proctor (McDougall 46), McKenna, Smyth, Lukaszewski, McGowan (McGuire 85), Harty, Taylor, Twigg, Holmes, MacDonald (McKeown 63).
Subs Not Used: Popper, Hollis.
Booked: Smyth, Taylor, McGowan.
Goals: Harty 17.
Att: 2,837