Claudio Caniggia's double set Dundee on their way to a 5-0 demolition job on St Mirren at Dens Park.

Caniggia grabbed a goal in each half and second-half strikes from Gavin Rae, Javier Artero and Steven Milne completed the rout of Tom Hendrie's visitors.

Dundee player-manager Ivano Bonetti will be satisfied at avenging two defeats at the hands of the Paisley outfit earlier in the season.

Caniggia fired Dundee ahead, forcing home a rebound after keeper Derek Scrimgour could only watch as Willie Falconer's header struck a post.

Saints' response was admirable, but ultimately they were to pay with their inability to conjure up an equaliser, particularly after a couple of good chances were wasted by Hugh Murray and Graham Fenton.

Georgian international Giorgio Nemsadze was at the heart of most Dundee moves and was unlucky to see his shot palmed onto the post in the 34th minute after making room for himself.

The Saints did compete and at the start of the second half Barry McLaughlin volleyed just wide from close range.

But Bonetti's side were firmly in the driving seat when Caniggia scored their second.

In a flowing 52nd minute move Artero threaded the ball through to the Argentine and he eventually followed in to score after Rae had a shot parried.

A couple of good chances which fell to visiting striker Ricky Gillies in the space of seven minutes. His first effort cannoned off a post and then from 18 yards he could only watch as Dundee keeper Marco Roccati punched away a powerful shot.

Dundee's third came when Rae burst into the box and despatched an unstoppable shot after Nemsadze worked tirelessly to create the opening.

For Dundee fans though, it was not over yet and, in the 75th minute, Artero grabbed a deserved fourth.

Bonetti gave substitute Juan Sara a short time to display his skills in the latter stages and Milne will no doubt thank him for the part he played in the fifth and final goal. Sara neatly headed back Artero's right-wing cross before substitute Milne touched the ball home.

With just seconds remaining Milne could even have grabbed his second but a rocket-like shot hit the crossbar, but perhaps that would have been too much humiliation for the Buddies.