Dodds sees off Livingston

Billy Dodds celebrates with manager Ian McCall

Dundee United 2-0 Livingston

Billy Dodds scored twice to hand Dundee United all three points against Livingston in a poor match.

Livingston matched United throughout the first half but fell behind when Dodds beat Roddy McKenzie in the visitors' goal just before half time.

The veteran striker made sure of the points with 10 minutes remaining with an opportunist strike from close range.

Livi created the first chance after only three minutes when Lee Makel slipped a quick free-kick from the left into the path of Derek Lilley, but his shot across goal flew inches wide.

United's first offering came after 16 minutes when Alan Archibald's looping header at the near post flew over the bar.

Paul Gallacher had to palm away a Stuart Lovell shot after some nice set-up play from Fernando Pasquinelli.

United did have the ball in the net in the 23rd minute, but the linesman flagged Chris Innes offside after he nodded a Barry Robson free-kick past Roddy MacKenzie.

Jamie McAllister was next to try his luck for the visitors, but he shot wide of Gallacher's post from 18 yards out.

United opened the scoring through Dodds in the 41st minute with their first shot on target.

Danny Griffin and John Paul McGovern challenge

The former Rangers striker nicked in ahead of everyone to direct a Robson free-kick past McKenzie into the far corner of the net.

United had a penalty claim waved away by the referee three minutes into the second half.

Emmanuel Dorado challenged for the ball with Jim McIntrye and appeared to use a hand to deflect the ball away, but referee Dougie McDonald saw nothing amiss.

Dorado came to Livi's rescue in the 65th minute, getting his body in front of Robson to prevent him meeting a McIntyre cross.

United doubled their lead in the 80th minute, with Dodds once again finding the net.

The striker followed in a 25-yard Robson shot and got his reward when the ball bounced off the post and landed at his feet, leaving him the simple task of rolling the ball into the unguarded net.

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Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Wilson, Innes (Griffin 77), McCracken, Archibald, Kerr, McInnes, Dodds, Robson, McIntyre, McLaren (Miller 60).

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Samuel, Easton.

Booked: McLaren.

Livingston: McKenzie, Rubio, Andrews, Dorado, Quino, Makel (O'Brien 66), Lovell, McNamee, McAllister, Pasquinelli (McGovern 74), Lilley.

Subs Not Used: Main, Scott McLaughlin, Harding.

Booked: Dorado.

Att: 5,421

Ref: D McDonald