Dundee Utd 1
Kilmarnock 2
League (SPL)

Match Report

In the only change to the side that drew at Firhill, Tassos Venetis dropped to the bench in favour of Derek Lilley, seeing Alex Smith opt for a two man attack for the Club's first home game of the season.

Paul Gallacher was first to make a save seven minutes into the game. It was a narrow escape as former United man Andy McLaren weighted a perfect pass to Greg Shields who fired at the home goal only for Gallacher to close down and deflect the shot past the post with his wrist. Eight minutes later at the other end, Charlie Miller found his first chance of the game saved by Gordon Marshall. United settled into the game and had a grip on the game thanks to some neat one-touch passing. 25 minutes in, Marshall was forced to save once again as Steven Thompson connected with a Jim McIntyre cross to head goalward. McLaren continued to threatened for Kilmarnock though, and on 27 minutes, he nearly stunned the home side with an overhead kick, which ran just wide of the target. Gary Locke fired just over for the Rugby Park men shortly after the half hour mark and moments later, a United free kick was powerfully curled just past the upright by Danny Griffin.

Attacking the East Stand during the second half, United started well. A foul on Miller win United a free kick and Griffin, again the taker, sees his shot deflected onto the junction between post and bar. The opening goal eventually came following the introduction of Gunnlaughsson, as the man from Akranes played a delightful ball into Steven Thompson for the striker to race forward and fire an inch-perfect shot into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0. Celebrations lasted just seven minutes though, as Kilmarnock equalized thanks to an easy tap-in from close range for Craig Dargo. Three minutes later, substitute Kris Boyd turned the tide with a lob from the edge of the box, foxing Gallacher to make it 2-1 to Kilmarnock. Tried as they might, United threw everything forward in the dying stages, but no chances materialized.