Kilmarnock delivered the goods in a must-win clash at Rugby Park.
It was a tense night in Ayrshire ahead of the game which followed a signing-less Deadline Day, and defeat could have been damaging in terms of the relegation battle.
But thanks to Dan Armstrong’s wonderful first half strike and a Sam Walker penalty save, Killie find themselves ninth and three points clear of danger.
Boss Derek McInnes said: “I’m delighted with the result. It was a great response after our defeat at the weekend. I thought our performance was terrific.
“We were a bit edgy and nervy at the start but we just had to settle down and try to engage our front two and we did that. We had a lot of chances but we were a bit rushed at times when we just needed a bit more calmness.
“It took the wind out of our sails when United were awarded their penalty but, fortunately, Sam saved it and we went from strength to strength after that. It gave us the confidence and belief that we were going to win the game.
“The approach from the team was everything I’d wanted and once Danny scored a goal terrific enough to win any game I thought we were so good.
“My one complaint is that the second goal didn’t come – we passed up so many opportunities and my front two were outstanding apart from scoring goals, which is obviously a big part of their game.
“They were brilliant in every other department because they gave us a real focal point and moved United’s back three around all night, setting the tempo for us."
Joe Wright had a free header in the 10th minute from a corner, but his effort went wide.
The visitors had the perfect chance to take the lead after 23 minutes when Armstrong conceded a penalty.
Steven Fletcher stepped up, but Walker won the battle as he palmed the spot-kick away to keep the score level.
Christian Doidge had a near-open goal on the half hour mark, but he headed wide.
Killie took the lead in the 36th minute when new signing Luke Chambers fired a cross to Armstrong who wrapped his foot around the ball on the edge of the box and finished incredible well into the top corner.
Liam Polworth had a fantastic chance just before half-time as he fired an effort from 20 yards, but it went narrowly over the crossbar, sending the sides into the break level.
Armstrong tried his luck on the hour mark with a speculative effort from 30 yards, it was closer than expected and Mark Birighitti had to scramble towards the post, but the effort did go wide.
Doidge found himself through on goal in the 66th minute but he failed to remain composed and blazed the shot over high into the Moffat Stand.
Rory McKenzie had the goal gaping in the 73rd minute but Birighitti saved well before Kyle Vassell had a chance from close range which was blocked on the line.
Glenn Middleton looked sure to level the score in the 78th minute as he had acres of space before firing a volley away, but thankfully for Killie it somehow ended up wide.
Two minutes later Fletcher was through on goal as he tried to make it 1-1, but his curling effort was poor and off target.
Vassell had another chance in the 82nd minute as he fired a shot off at goal, Birighitti saved and it fell back to Vassell, but the rebound was also saved.
Rory MacLeod had a good chance from the edge of the box in the 89th minute but it drifted narrowly wide.
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