Failure to make the most of their territorial advantage was what cost the Tannadice second string as they went down to the only goal of the game at Station Park, Forfar, this afternoon.
The first half hour of the match saw them create the best of the chances.
Twice David Goodwillie was through one on one with the keeper who made a good reaction save on one occasion with there being claims for a penalty as he was denied on the second occasion.
David Robertson also hit the bar, but they paid for those misses after 37 minutes when Adamou Konte strode on to a through pass and steered the ball into the far corner from 12 yards for what turned out to be Hibs' winner.
Before the break, Euan McLean twice denied Sammy Morrow and right on the break Konte fired past from a similar move that had brought him success seven minutes earlier.
Although Hibs started the second half still in control, they failed to make any further clear-cut openings and as the half wore on, United came right back into it.
Unfortunately, they similarly failed to test the keeper.
Jim McIntyre was at the heart of the two closest calls.
On 63 minutes he sent over an inviting cross with which David Robertson just failed to make contact and the striker fired inches over a few minutes later.
United: McLean, Callaghan, Easton, Dodds, McCracken. Gardiner, Burnett (Abbott 88), Cameron, McIntyre, Robertson, Goodwillie. Subs not used: Gibson, Andreoni, Russell, Feeney.
Hibernian: Brown, Notman, Caldwell, Smith (McCaffrey 73), Stevenson, Rudge, Fletcher, McDonald, Morrow (Weightman 80), Konte, McCluskey (Pow 73). Subs not used: Nelson, Crooks.
Referee: Derek Rose
There was double disappointment for coach Tony Docherty after seeing the Reserves go down to Hibs.
He commented, "We have been hoping for a lot from the Reserves this season with so many of last season's youth team having been promoted and after getting off to such a good start with the win over Motherwell, we came into this game in a very positive frame of mind and started very well.
"However, we lost our way a bit just before the break when they scored with Euan McLean then making two very good saves to keep us in the game.
"Nevertheless, at the interval, we told the lads that the game was still there to be won, but unfortunately, although we had long spells throughout the game when we controlled the game, it was without creating enough chances, and lacking the cutting edge.
"So from this the lads must take on board that controlling play counts for nothing unless you put the ball in the back of the net!"