A packed Tannadice saw United maintain their unbeaten record against their neighbours from across the street.
It was a match which was high on octane but provided both keepers with limited opportunities to show their skill.
As expected, the opening period suffered the typical hustle and bustle associated with a derby with the hosts edging the balance of play as Craig Easton and Stuart Duff both came close.
The first real threat however came from Dundee in the 23rd minute. A tantalising ball from Georgi Nemsadaze found Nacho Novo. The Spaniard turned Warren Cummings and curled in wonderful shot only for it to be tipped away by the outstretched Paul Gallacher.
The visitors continued in the ascendancy and they almost pulled ahead in the 29th minute. David MacKay floated a cross from the right for Steve Lovell to outjump Ally Lauchlan and flick towards the corner. Gallacher was on hand again to frustrate the Dees.
As the game swung from end to end, Julian Speroni made a lightning reaction save to prevent Kevin McGowne's 43rd minute header from finding the net and two minutes later he foiled Steven Thompson with a brave stop.
Lovell missed a glaring opportunity 10 minutes in to the second half. All alone, he completely fluffed Novo's pass.
As the game followed the pendulum, with United having the greater swing the Tangerines were reduced to ten men in the 74th minute when Allan Smart was controversially sent packing for a late tackle on Jonay Hernandez.
The sub appeared to be some distance from his opponent but somehow referee Underhill produced the red card, spoiling his faultless officiating.
It was somewhat surprising that the referee did not produce more cards in the resulting melee particularly for Gavin Rae who appeared to raise both hands towards Smart.
The expectation at that point was the Dees would go on to win but, if anything ten-man United rolled their sleeves up and could have snatched all three points.
First, Speroni produced a magnificent one-handed stop from Danny Griffin's 20-yard free-kick which was heading into the top corner then minutes from the end Easton scorned the final opportunity heading over from only eight yards