A disappointing afternoon for United as Livingston – with a goal in each half – leapfrogged United and moved into second place.
By Peter Rundo
After last week’s win over Linfield, it was all change as the kids gave way to the side that defeated Dunfermline a fortnight ago.
By the same token Livingston were also unchanged from their last outing – a 2-1 win over Dumbarton a fortnight ago.
With the fourth-placed hosts just two points behind United who only trail leaders St Mirren by a point, the importance of this contest didn’t need underlining.
After early sparring in which United started solidly enough, Livi took the lead on seven minutes in proverbial route one fashion.
Quickly taking a free-kick, Alan Lithgow launched the ball down the left channel finding Danny Mullen whose acute angled drive squeezed in at the near post.
Livi were forced into an early substitution with Dale Carrick replacing Nicky Cadden.
The home side’s 3-5-2 formation was proving stubbornly difficult for United to break down and on 20 minutes the Lothian side again went close.
Josh Mullin floated in a free-kick which Nikolay Todorov headed just wide.
It was at the mid-point of the first half before United had an attempt at goal though James Keatings's effort from distance was high and wide.
In a contest of many meaty challenges, Livi’s Jackson Longridge was the first player booked for a late challenge on Fraser Fyvie.
And immediately after that Jordie Briels went off injured to be replaced by Sam Stanton.
Shortly after that Livi went close to getting a second. Harry Lewis had to rush out of his area to head clear from substitute Carrick and the ball fell to Jmaes Penrice whose lob towards the unguarded net was fortunately wide of the target.
A difficult half for United ended on a slightly more encouraging note with some pressure on the Livi goal, but without testing the keeper.
United started the second half on the front foot, winning three corners all of which came to nothing.
But nine minutes after the restart, United finally threatened.
Home keeper Neil Alexander flapped at a Fyvie free-kick and the ball and the ball fell to Scott McDonald, level with the penalty spot, but he pulled his shot wide of the target.
Mullen was booked for dissent on 62 minutes as United began to show some fluency but still scoring chances proved elusive.
However, on 69 minutes a Fyvie shot was deflected for a corner and shortly afterwards, Billy King brought Alexander into action for the first time, but it was easy meat for the custodian.
Quarter of an hour from the end, United’s hopes were dashed as they fell further behind.
Mullan drilled in a low cross from the right which Todorov rammed home from close range via the underside of the bar.
And Livi almost added a third with a minute left curling a great left-foot shot from substitute Raffaele De Vita rebouned off the inside of the post and away to safety.
Summary: Not an afternoon that the large travelling support will recall with any pleasure. United never really got going in the first half when Livi were in their faces. Certainly there was a marked improvement after the break but not sufficient to prevent the second league defeat of the season.
Man of the Match: On an afternoon when there were too few candidates, Fraser Fyvie did his best, particularly in the second half, to drag the side back into the game, but it was all in vain.
Livingston: Alexander, Todorov, Halkett, Lithgow, Mullin, Pittman, Longridge (De Vita78), Penrice, Byrne, Cadden (Carrick 12 (McMillan 69)) Mullen.
Subs not used: Maley, Knox, Jacobs, De Vita, Henderson.
United: Lewis, Flood, Durnan, Edjenguele, Robson, McMullan, Fyvie, Briels (Stanton35), King (N’Koyi 72), McDonald, Keatings.
Subs not used: Donaldson (GK), Murdoch, Toshney, Allardice, M Smith.
Referee: John Beaton
Attendance: 2282 (Arabs 1298)
