United took a strong under-21 side to Peterhead and gave a couple of trialists a run-out in this the first of two matches between the clubs in nine days.
A through ball from Curran gave Winters a scoring chance as early as the first minute but the danger was cleared. After that both teams had chances and Johnstone's 18th minute volley narrowly missed the target with Jarvie seemingly beaten.
McConalogue and Winters were a constant threat to the home defence and it was no surprise, in the 43rd minute, when the opening goal came from their combined play as McConalogue headed home from a Winters cross.
Peterhead had two early second half chances but were well dealt with by Jarvie and the Aberdonian kept United in the lead in the 70th minute when he pushed over the bar a great 20-yarder from Byers.
In the 87th minute, Mvondo Atangana made the final score two-nil for United when he made space for himself and slotted the ball behind McLean in the home goal.
United team:
Jarvie, Duff, Riley, McDonald, McQuillan, Smith, Curran, Trialist, Winters, McConalogue, Trialist.
Subs - O'Connor, Atangana, Sturrock, Wilson, Waddle, McMillan.