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Gary Harkins played a captain's role to inspire Dundee to a resounding win over Partick Thistle at a snowy Firhill.

The midfielder was felled by Liam Lindsay after dispossessing the Thistle defender and Kane Hemmings opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Harkins pounced for the second and set up Greg Stewart for the third.

David Amoo replied with a close-range header, but Harkins restored the lead before Lindsay was sent off and Kris Doolan fired a consolation.

With Kevin Thomson leaving Dundee in midweek and James McPake out with a long-term injury, it was Harkins who led the Dens Park outfit.

And he relished the responsibility throughout the afternoon with a hand in all four goals as the Dark Blues moved into the top six in the Scottish Premiership.

After only seven minutes, the 31-year-old stole the ball from Lindsay before striding into the penalty box.

The defender recovered but bundled the Dundee midfielder to the ground and Hemming's hammered the ball high into the net from the penalty spot.

Number two came three minutes later.

Stewart floated a free kick into the box that was spilled by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny straight at the feet of Harkins, who made no mistake from eight yards out.

Striker Stewart made it three within 15 minutes after collecting the ball from Harkins on the right and sending a stunning left-foot curler beyond Cerny.

Thistle did come back into the game and gave themselves some hope midway through the half when they pulled one goal back.

A cross in from the left-hand side was nodded backwards towards goal, where Amoo knocked the ball into the net.

Number four for Dundee though came eight minutes before half-time through Harkins' right-foot shot into the top corner that gave Cerny no chance.

Hemmings also hit the post, while Cerny pulled off a magnificent stop to deny Paul McGowan.

As the snow continued to fall, the Firhill ground staff were out at the break to ensure the lines were cleared.

However, Thistles troubles increased when Lindsay was sent off after he bundled Hemmings down outside the box.

It was his second yellow card of the day and therefore an early bath for Lindsay.

With only 30 seconds left for play, Doolan pulled one back after goalkeeper Scott Bain could only parry a Calum Booth long-range effort.

There was no need for the Dens Park club to push forward looking for more goals as the win was secured thanks to a magnificent first-half performance in front of hardy crowd of 3262.