Dundee Utd sink Hibs to stay in touch at the bottom

Jamie McGrath tucked in a late penalty as Dundee United beat Hibernian at Tannadice to boost hopes of Scottish Premiership survival.

Steven Fletcher was the United hero, crashing in an early header and winning the spot-kick.

Mykola Kuharevich had levelled for Hibs, who also hit the crossbar before McGrath settled matters on 90 minutes.

United are unbeaten in their last four meetings with the Edinburgh side, who slumped to a fourth successive defeat to remain sixth, further denting recent hopes of finishing third.

Hibs now face a fight to stay in the top half of the table, with Livingston just one point behind and two games to go before the split.

Without a win since 2 January, manager Jim Goodwin had stressed the importance of a fast start and United duly delivered as Fletcher rose to emphatically power home a cross from Aziz Behich.

Hibs really should have been in front by then though, with Kevin Nisbet guilty of missing a sitter, stabbing the ball against the legs of goalkeeper Mark Birighitti from all of three yards out.

Despite going in front, United were jittery on the ball, constantly giving it away.

However, Hibs could do little with all of their possession and failed to trouble Birighitti again before the interval.

Harry McKirdy had set up Nisbet’s golden chance but became increasingly clumsy and ineffective on the right, while Elie Youan did not fare much better on the left as the hosts dug in to defend their lead.

Fletcher looked certain to double his tally in the opening phase of the second half only to lash over the top from Behich’s lovely, cushioned lay-off.

The Australian was again the provider as substitute Ilmari Niskanen also thundered a great opening too high.

Loick Ayina made a number of good interventions at the back for United, including an impressive sliding block to prevent Nisbet reaching a drilled delivery from Chris Cadden.

But the visitors levelled out of the blue on 70 minutes when veteran defender Charlie Mulgrew failed to reach a cross from Marijan Cabraja, allowing substitute Kuharevich to bring the ball down on his chest before crashing a shot high into the net.

Hibs went close to stealing it when Nisbet whipped a fantastic free-kick against the crossbar, with Kuharevich unable to steer his follow-up header on target.

Youan should then have done better when he knocked a shot just wide following a clever set up from Nisbet.

Instead, it was the home fans who were celebrating when Fletcher cut across Will Fish to draw contact, with McGrath sending David Marshall the wrong way with a cool penalty.

Fish had the chance to make amends at the tail end of six minutes of stoppage time but took too long to shoot and could only find the side-netting.

Player of the match – Steven Fletcher

What next?

Hibernian host Edinburgh rivals Hearts next Saturday (12:30 BST), while Dundee United are away to Motherwell on the same day (15:00).