Joe Westley's early strike was enough to give Dundee a victory that drops St Mirren into second-bottom spot in the Scottish Premiership.

The midfielder prodded in his third goal of the season to end the hosts' five-game run without a victory and move them six points clear of the visitors.

Second best for most of that first half, St Mirren slump to a fourth straight defeat despite dominating after the break.

It means Kilmarnock, who beat Dundee United 3-0, move one point above Craig McLeish's side, who now occupy the relegation play-off spot with three games remaining.

St Mirren made the more composed start, but it was Dundee with the first effort on target as Yan Dhanda fired straight at goalkeeper Ross Sinclair.

That appeared to settle the hosts and they made St Mirren pay for a loss of possession just inside their own half shortly after.

Cameron Congreve was allowed to find space for his cross and Westley managed to prod a toe in front of his marker and the ball trickled off the inside of the far post to give Steven Pressley's side an early lead.

Dundee came close to extending their lead when Dhanda's cross came off the head of St Mirren centre-half Richard King and hit the junction of post and bar.

The closest St Mirren had come to a goal threat was a half-hearted appeal for a penalty for a challenge on Mark O'Hara, but they came out with more purpose after the break.

Striker Mikael Mandron shot straight at Jon McCracken, then the goalkeeper punched clear an even more powerful drive from full-back Jayden Richardson.

McCracken was forced off after injuring his ankle making a clearance and Roland Idowu should have immediately tested substitute Kieran O'Hara when firing into the side netting.

The hosts came close to finishing with a flourish, with Sinclair pushing clear a close-range Ashley Hay header, but one goal was enough for Dundee.

Both sides had come into the game on the back of bruising defeats - St Mirren at home to bottom side Livingston and Dundee in their city derby.

They were also minus influential players - on-loan Birmingham winger Scott Wright failing a fitness test for the hosts, while St Mirren had Declan John and Jonah Ayunga injured on top of Alex Gogic's suspension.

It was St Mirren who appeared to be affected the most, missing the bite and drive of Gogic, whether in defence or midfield, as on-loan Hearts playmaker Dhanda was particularly prominent in that opening 45 minutes.

Pressley's men must fancy their chances of avoiding relegation trouble, especially with now relegated Livingston next up at Dens Park.

For all the plaudits counterpart McLeish has received since the 36-year-old former youth coach was thrust into the St Mirren hotseat, there are worrying signs his side will be the ones finishing in the play-off place.

While they have a better goal difference than Kilmarnock should they finish level on points, a lack of goals is costing St Mirren.

They have failed to score in 17 of their 35 league games, more often than any other team this season, and have now not found the net in their latest three.

St Mirren also show few signs of being able to battle back from adversity and have lost all 11 games where they have trailed at half-time - and have won just once in 17 after conceding the opening goal.

They will need to muster all their fighting qualities when Kilmarnock visit next Saturday in what appears like a must-win game for the Paisley side.

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley: "The most important thing today was the result, but I'm really proud of the players.

"We've had some disappointing moments and we always seem able to respond in the right manner and they did that again today against a very good St Mirren side.

"We have still to play Kilmarnock down there, so we still have work to do."

St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish: "Another sore result. I don't think we will have come here often and dominated so much of the game.

"There are bodies hanging together there. There are bodies playing with pain and injuries and people playing when they probably shouldn't be playing.

"It is the bit in the final third that we've been searching for all season and we're still searching for it. Next game was always going to be massive. We have to win now. We are up for the fight."

Dundee host Livingston on Saturday, 9 May, while St Mirren entertain Kilmarnock (both 15:00 BST).