Livingston 0-2 Dundee Utd

Crawford (left) opened the scoring for United

Dundee United emerged from their SPL basement battle at Almondvale with a well-earned victory over Livi.

United opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Billy Dodds' deft lay-off was met by Stevie Crawford, who fired low into the net.

James Grady doubled United's lead after 41 minutes, when he volleyed in from six yards out.

Grant Brebner almost made it 3-0 after the interval but his curling effort came back off the crossbar.

Both sides looked nervous during the opening stages.

Gough and McCall gave their respective charges orders to keep things tight and there was little to shout about in front of goal early on.

However, United striker Billy Dodds teed up Stevie Crawford to give the visitors the lead in the 14th minute.

Dodds prodded through a perfectly-weighted pass for the Scotland international, who had peeled off McNamee at the back post.

The former Dunfermline man showed great composure to slot the ball past goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie from a tight angle.

Five minutes before the break, the West Lothian side fell further behind when James Grady fired home a second.

Mark Wilson's corner was headed back across goal and the ex-Partick striker hooked the ball over his shoulder into the net.

Livingston nearly responded in dramatic fashion when the ball broke to Eric Deloumeaux on the edge of the box.

But his vicious shot smacked against the advertising boards behind Bullock's goal.

United came tantalisingly close to adding a third just moments after the restart.

Grant Brebner received the ball 25 yards from goal before curling a well-struck shot towards McKenzie's goal but the ball smacked against the crossbar.

The hosts tried to press United but some poor final balls, including one Burton O'Brien corner kick which was easily knocked clear of the penalty area, summed up the Lions' afternoon.

James McPake squandered a great chance to reduce the deficit when he managed to break through the visitors' defence for the first time in the game.

With just Bullock to beat, the young marksman chipped the goalkeeper but the ball sailed over the crossbar and landed on the netting.

Richard Gough's men now find themselves five points adrift of United at the bottom of the SPL.

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Livingston: McKenzie, Rubio, Strong, Deloumeaux, McNamee, Mark Wilson (Kriston 45), Brittain (Adam 46), O'Brien, Bahoken, McMenamin, Lilley (McPake 70). Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Dorado, Dair, Vincze.

Booked: McMenamin.

Dundee Utd: Bullock, Wilson, Mair, Archibald, Duff, Grady, Brebner, Kerr (McLaren 69), McIntyre, Dodds, Crawford. Subs Not Used: Colgan, Samuel, Scotland, Kenneth, Cameron, Holmes.

Booked: Brebner.

Goals: Crawford 14, Grady 41.

Att: 5,158

Ref: C Richmond