The Young Terrors gave as good as they got in everything except goals when losing 2-1 to league leaders Hibs at Station Park this afternoon.
By Peter Rundo
Before Hibs grabbed two quick-fire first-half goals, United could easily have been two up.
And having dominated the second half totally, they only had a late penalty conversion as reward for their efforts.
After 18 minutes Ali Coote’s perfectly timed run on to trialist Wato Kuate’s hoisted pass saw him round the keeper, only to be beaten by the angle.
Four minutes later, Hibs keeper Ross Laidlaw denied Louis Appéré with a fine save after the United striker’s surging run.
On 28 minutes, against the run of play, Hibs went ahead.
Innes Murray played the ball through to Ollie Shaw who despite a suspicion of offside was allowed to carry on and drill home a low angled drive.
Six minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead, Fraser Murray netting from Danny Handling’s cut-back.
After the break, United enjoyed almost total possession, but found the Hibs defence in resolute mood.
With 11 minutes left, United did reduce the leeway when Coote converted a penalty after Coll Donaldson was brought down.
Two minutes from time, Graham Taylor almost equalised but his header from a Coote cross went straight to the keeper.
Dundee United: Long, Davie, C Donaldson, Ballantyne, Hornby, Allardice, Trialist, Taylor, Appéré (Chalmers 65), Mcmeekin, Coote.
Subs not used: J Donaldson, Ritchie.