Striker Robert Snodgrass scored his fourth goal of the season three minutes before the interval with an impressive 18-yarder to seal the points for Paul Lambert's team.

The Tangerines hit back in the closing quarter but Livi held on for their first victory over United at Almondvale since Boxing Day 2002.

Livi were first to threaten after just four minutes at Almondvale.

Midfielder Richard Brittain saw a dangerous inswinging corner cleared, but he followed up with a neat left-wing cross which only needed a touch from Paul Dalglish to beat Derek Stillie, although the striker was ruled offside.

Lee Miller then saw a header fly over at the other end as both sides looked to improve a poor game.

In the 12th minute, Jason Dair saw a 20-yard effort drift over after good lead-up work from Dalglish.

United were trying to come more into the match with their passing game, but the home side came close again in the 22nd minute when Harald Pinxten flicked Brittain's free-kick just wide.

Trinidad and Tobago international Collin Samuel livened up proceedings with a swift break down the right but his cross was cleared.

Dalglish was next to try his luck in the 38th minute, but his well-struck 20-yarder whistled over.

Then, out of the blue, Livi struck with a superb goal in the 42nd minute.

Snodgrass, 18, found room for himself on the edge of the box after a Dalglish lay-off and fired an unstoppable left-foot shot into Derek Stillie's top left-hand corner.

United attacked with greater purpose in the second half but David Fernandez wasted an early opening on the left when he ballooned a cross over.

Livi were already sitting in and defending in depth, offering United the initiative.

United substitute Jim McIntyre helped earn his side a corner in the 72nd minute, but defender David McCracken lifted a 15-yard shot over when he could have hit the target.

Dalglish flashed a shot wide on the break at the other end, before Barry Robson should have scored with the Tannadice side's first shot on target after a full 74 minutes.

Robson beat two men on the left before cutting inside and firing in a shot which Ludovic Roy saved well with his legs.

Samuel quickly fired a long-range shot wide with Roy scrambling but still Livi were hanging on.

Alan Archibald then powered in a header with nine minutes left but Roy was equal to it, before McIntyre also headed wide from Peter Canero's cross.

Livi scrambled the ball clear twice on their own goal-line in the closing minutes but survived to emerge victorious.

Livingston
L Roy, D Mackay, H Pinxten, G Strong, P Tierney, R Brittain, A Walker, G Vincze, J Dair (71 M Scott) , P Dalglish (86 J McPake) , R Snodgrass
Subs: R McKenzie, E Dorado, M Scott, S Adam, S Boyd, D Tesevic, J McPake