The Tannadice teenagers could feel a bit aggrieved at going down to Kilmarnock at their St Andrews training complex at Saturday lunchtime.
Indeed, Stevie Campbell's youngsters passed up a whole host of chances, only to be hit by two sucker punch goals very much against the run of play.
However a goal just on the interval railed tangerine hopes.
Michael Noble whipped in a free-kick from which defender Paddy Barrett side-footed home from 12 yards.
Second half, though United held the upper hand in possession, they mainly huffed and puffed.
Chances did fall to Ryan Gauld and Jordan Moore, but it was not to be.
Dundee United: Anderson, Lundie, Noble (Young 80), Petrie, Barrett, J Thomson, Smith, Gauld )Bell 65), Moore (Gilmour 60), Ferguson, Campbell. (Subs not used: Easton, Hay)