KILMARNOCK staged a smash and grab at Tannadice to claim their first league win of the campaign at the seventh time of asking. Victory came courtesy of a stunning late strike from debutant Kevin McHattie. United, however, could scarcely believe the result after creating and scorning a succession of second-half chances before the climactic sucker punch.

Delighted Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke reckoned that his team had not been blessed with much luck throughout much of the early SPFL campaign and thus were due a share of good fortune.

“We showed a lot of character and maybe got a couple of breaks that have been going against us so far this season. I thought it was a good game, we are creating chances and defending a lot better now.

“We want to kick on, having got our first win and that particular monkey off our backs.”

McNamara gave starts to new loan signings Adam Taggart and Aaron Kuhl while Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke handed former Hearts defender McHattie his debut.

Some 32 years ago, and less than 300 yards away, Ralph Milne wheeled with arms aloft after gracing the most important game in United’s history with a goal worthy of the greatest footballing occasions. His contribution to that title-winning victory at Dens Park, and his countless other memorable performances during the club’s golden era, were remembered in a moving minute’s silence prior to kick-off.

Perhaps the poignancy of the moment inspired those following in ‘Ralphie’s’ footsteps, as United almost grabbed an early opener.

Centre-half Mark Durnan floated a 40-yard pass into Ryan Dow’s path. The ball broke off the midfielder and fell perfectly into the path of Taggart 16 yards from goal. Perhaps the debutant was distracted by the early arrival of the opportunity and he blasted high and wide.

By the midway point of the opening half, the visitors were opting for the direct ball up to Josh Magennis given the wet and blustery conditions and his muscular hold-up play allowed Kallum Higginbotham to release Greg Kiltie.

The young winger’s curling 20-yard effort flew just past Luis Zwick’s top left-hand corner, however.

On 38 minutes, Scott Fraser was sent tumbling at the edge of the Killie box but, while Kuhl was composed with the resulting free-kick, his clipped effort merely rippled the side netting.

The netting down the United end, however, was bulging right down the middle five minutes later when, after McKenzie’s pace drew a rash challenge from Sean Dillon, Higginbotham dispatched the resulting penalty high past Zwick.

Billy McKay, prolific in his previous SPFL incarnation at Inverness, started to show that predatory instinct after the interval, testing MacDonald on the hour-mark with a low drive.

When the equaliser did come, it arrived in the same fashion, and at the same end, as the opener. This time Blair Spittal’s volley was harshly adjudged to have been handled in the box by Lee Ashcroft.

Referee Brian Colvin was convinced, however, and McKay outfoxed MacDonald with a low, scoring spot-kick right down the middle.

There was no stopping the Northern Ireland striker now and only the width of the post prevented him turning the game on its head with 15 minutes left. Darko Bodul then somehow fired wide after fine set-up involving his fellow United substitute, Aidan Connolly. If that miss was unlikely, the next squandered United opportunity defied belief. Boodle unselfishly squared the ball across the six-yard box to prevent Dow with an open goal. He inexplicably opted to trundle the ball into the gaping net and MacDonald somehow got back in time to paw the ball clear.

How costly that early contender for miss of the season proved when McHattie’s hammer of shot flew past Zwick from 30 yards with two minutes remaining.

“I still can’t believe I missed it,” Dow admitted afterwards. “I side-footed it when, if I had put my foot through it, the keeper would have had no chance.

“He made a great save but I shouldn't have given him the chance to save it.”

MacDonald played down his heroics and instead heaped praise on McHattie’s match-winner. “It was one of those where you don’t have time to think about it and just throw yourself across and hope for the best.

“Kevin’s strike was incredible, to score a half-volley from that distance was great technique.

“We are delighted for the gaffer because we know the pressure he has been under.

“All credit to him, he never lets it affect him or us and he deserved that win today.”

The home crowd vented their frustration with chants against McNamara at the final whistle and the manager admitted he could understand their frustration.

“That’s part and parcel of my job. At the end of the day it is another defeat at home. The buck stops with me, if the wins aren’t there then ultimately I won’t be here either.

“I would be more concerned if we hadn't managed to create the number of chances we did.”