Dundee United 2 Livingston 0

United clinch third spot with a 2-0 win against Livingston as goals from Slater and McDonald set up a play-off home advantage against Dunfermline Athletic. 

By Ian Isbister

United made 4 changes to the side that lost to Queen of the South last weekend as Fraser, Slater, Robson and Gillespie came into the starting line-up. With Livingston already confirmed in second place, the emphasis was on United to gain the all-important third position ahead of Dunfermline Athletic. The Pars started the game 2 points behind United, so Arabs would have one eye on their match against Dumbarton at East End Park. 

It was Livingston who had the first chance of the game after only 2 minutes. Craig Halkett’s looping header coming back off the post after an opportunistic cross. The rebound was then headed just over by Halkett again. As both teams settled into the game it was the midfield area seeing the bulk of the action. Long range free-kicks into the United box by Cadden were dealt with easily by the United defence. In the 15th minute, Livi’s Declan Gallagher tried a Ronaldoesque overhead kick which had Arab’s hearts in their mouths as it just flew past Deniz’s right hand post. United had their first chance of the game in 17 minutes. King’s run down the left flank won a corner for United. Slater’s cross was met by the on-rushing Mohsni who shot just wide. The momentum was now for United and they were unlucky not to go ahead just seconds later when a typical Fraser run was cleared off the line by Lithgow.

United fans paid tribute to one of their own in the 29th minute with a minutes applause for Liam Colgan, who tragically died in Hamburg. A lifelong fan, it was a fitting tribute to a fellow Arab.

United nearly broke the deadlock in 32 mins when McDonald and Fraser linked up along the six-yard box, the latter just failing to connect with the goal at his mercy. Up the other end it was Deniz who came to United’s rescue, saving well at the left hand post from a fierce Hardie shot, the resulting corner seeing Miller’s header go just wide. With no further clear-cut chance in the first half referee Greg Aitken blew the half-time whistle at 0-0.

No changes by either side as the teams came out for the second half. With Dunfermline winning 3-0 at East End Park at half-time, United were fully aware that nothing less than a win would be enough to clinch 3rd spot in the Championship. Livingston started the brighter and in 53 mins were denied when only an interception by Mohsni prevented Cadden’s first time left foot shot. This sparked United into action and in 54 mins they took the lead. Good build-up play by Fraser and Stanton lead to Craig Slater cutting in from the right and his side foot shot flew past Neil Alexander in the Livi goal. It was Slater’s first goal for the Tangerines and he clearly had a taste for it as minutes later he cut in from the right again only to see his effort on this occasion straight into the arms of Alexander. Livingston looked for the equaliser and it was Lithgow’s long throw-ins from the right which was causing United problems. In the 73rd minute Livingston had their best opportunity to equalise so far with the open goal waiting for him, Lee Miller saw his header go wide when it would have been easier to score. Seconds later substitute Longridge nearly made an instant impact when his looping header grazed the crossbar. United were now on the backfoot and defending resolutely. Ryan Hardie continued to trouble the United rearguard and his shot skimmed just past Deniz’s right hand post on 80 mins.

United started to take more control after the onslaught. First Mohsni’s header was well saved by Alexander in 85 mins. The resulting corner eventually led to a King cross finding it’s way past the Livi defence and falling perfectly to Scott McDonald in space who had plenty of time to knock home from 8 yards out to make it 2-0 to United.

United saw out the remaining 5 mins to clinch home advantage in the play-offs. They will be hoping this won't be the last time they play Livingston before the end of the season. They will now play Dunfermline away at East End Park on Tuesday with the second leg at Tannadice on Friday.

Man of the Match - Billy King. Always involved in United’s final third and his involvement in both goals was paramount. 

Dundee United - Deniz, Murdoch ©, McDonald, Fraser (Mikkelsen 72 mins), Stanton, Slater (Smith 84 mins), Robson, King, Gillespie (Briels 87 mins), Ralston, Mohsni,

Subs not used - Lewis (GK), Scobbie, Glass, Edjenguele,

Livingston - Alexander, Lithgow, Byrne (Longridge 72 mins), Pittman, Hardie, Cadden (Mullin 76 mins), Jacobs, Miller, Thompson (Frizell 63 mins), Halkett, ©, Gallagher,

Subs not used - Maley (GK), Buchanan, Robinson, De Vita,

Referee - Greg Aitken,

Assistant Referees - Graham Chambers and Colin McAlpine,

Bookings - United: Mohsni (35 mins)