Dundee United 2-0 Livingston: Third win a row for United to deny Livi a top six place
- Published
Jamie McGrath slices his shot into the bottom corner
Dundee United showed "grit and determination" to lift themselves four points clear of the bottom of the Scottish Premiership as Livingston blew their chance of top-six football for the second season in a row.
Jamie McGrath sliced a superb effort into the bottom corner before Steven Fletcher capitalised on a mistake to double United's lead late on.
It means United, after three consecutive wins, have opened a gap over 12th-placed Ross County, and stay 10th, ahead of Kilmarnock on goal difference.
"Sometimes managers get plaudits but there was nothing to do with me out there in terms of tactics or systems," manager Jim Goodwin said.
"It was all down to the players and the characteristics they showed. It was a really gritty, determined, fully-committed performance.
"They were defending the box as if their lives' depended on it. The players left absolutely nothing out there."
Livingston needed at least win to secure a place in the top half, and thanks to results elsewhere, three points would have been enough. However, David Martindale's side failed to muster anything to trouble to their hosts.
It was a similar story last season, when a stoppage-time Motherwell goal denied them a place in the top six.
After the heartache of last season, and the magnificent performance in victory over St Johnstone last weekend, it was all the more surprising to witness Livingston's timid display at Tannadice.
United played with far more impetus and desire, and combined nicely for the opening goal. Ian Harkes and Aziz Behich linked well before the former laid off to McGrath. With the outside of his foot, he cut across the ball to curve it into the net.
It should have been two when Fletcher nodded down a McMann cross to Niskanen, but somehow his half volley was tipped round a post by Shamal George.
Steven Bradley flashed a warning shot wide in the opening minutes of the second-half, but Livingston didn't come much closer as their front four failed to ignite any spark.
Instead, United went close again. Fletcher was teed up by Behich, but his curled effort towards the back post was way off target when he should have done better.
He made no such mistake again. Kai Fotheringham put Cristian Montano under pressure, winning the ball and playing in Fletcher, with the veteran striker sliding under the helpless George to double the lead.
Player of the match - Steven Fletcher (Dundee United)
Where would United be without their talisman this season? He delivered when it mattered.
Goodwin's rescue mission continues to gather pace - analysis
The appointment of the former Aberdeen manager continues to look shrewd, with three United wins a row for the first time since November 2021.
They are gathering confidence and momentum at the perfect time and, although they didn't blow Livingston away, they showed far more desire than their visitors. They must continue with that level of commitment and energy if they are to stay safe.
It was a really, really disappointing for Livingston. Their play throughout the season arguably merits top-six football, but they have tailed off badly and were miles off it today.
What they said
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Jamie McGrath scored a brilliant goal - something I've been criticising him for a lot. He needs to score more from open play. Today, he fully deserved that.
"The most pleasing thing for me was the willingness to keep the clean sheet. You've got to go back to the beginning of January for our last clean sheet. I'm over the moon for them."
Livingston boss David Martindale: "Disappointment is the overriding emotion. We can't ask too much more of the players. We've fallen short again this year.
"Collectively, since the turn of the year, our form hasn't been good, it's been inconsistent for a variety of reasons. The top six wasn't lost today. We can't blame anyone on the park. We've got to use this as fuel to push us onwards.
What's next?
Both sides begin their post-split games over the first weekend in May, with the fixtures expected to be confirmed early next week.