Much-improved Dundee United hauled themselves off the foot of the Scottish Premier League table with a vital point from a disappointing goalless draw at Rugby Park.

With a place in the final of the CIS Insurance Cup guaranteed and a top six finish almost assured, Kilmarnock can perhaps be forgiven for having their minds on other matters.

But for United manager Alex Smith every point is crucial as they fight it out with St Mirren, who were just one point better off at the start of play.

Smith has turned the club's fortunes around and on this evidence they will survive the drop to Division One, while Williamson will be worried by the fact that his side have still failed to win at home since October.

The Kilmarnock manager took the opportunity to hand 18-year-old Paul Di Giacomo his full debut and the youngster's pace and neat touches lit up a dull first 30 minutes.

The home side desperately missed the spark of winger Andy McLaren, who was suspended after his sending-off in last week's dramatic draw at Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup.

Both goalkeepers had little to do early on and when United midfielder Charlie Miller had the opportunity to deliver a free-kick into the box in the 10th minute he fired aimlessly wide of the post, to set the tone for the afternoon.

The home side, however, did put together a few purposeful passes in the 13th minute as Gus MacPherson picked out Craig Dargo in the box, but he was unable to find the target with his header.

United, who were on a high after their victory at Motherwell in the Scottish Cup last week, looked lively on the break and with a bit more of a cutting edge could have caused more problems.

Craig Easton had the home defence back-tracking in the 19th minute with a quick turn of pace and his cross into the box, but Kevin McGowne was on hand to head clear for Kilmarnock.

United striker Jim Hamilton found space in the 24th minute and tried to thread the ball through to the combative Miller.

The former Rangers man had burst through unmarked, but his pass hit him on the backside and Kilmarnock cleared the danger.

But the visitors started to string more and more passes together as the half wore on and in the 36th minute they created a great chance.

David Hannah played a perfectly weighted ball to Derek Lilley but the striker fired into the side-netting.

Two minutes later, Kilmarnock were almost gifted the lead following a bizarre blunder by United keeper Paul Gallacher.

Holt crossed from the left and Gallacher caught the ball, but somehow spilt it between his legs and towards the goal.

But the keeper was saved from the ultimate humiliation by Jamie McCunnie, who got back to clear off his own line.

The game was beginning to liven up and Danny Griffin curled a free-kick high over the bar to the sound of more groans from the small travelling support.

Moments before the interval, former Kilmarnock defender Jim Lauchlan, whose every touch was greeted with jeers by the home fans, was also shown the yellow card for a foul on Dargo.

United continued to grow stronger after the interval and their flowing football almost brought them the opener in the 53rd minute.

The impressive Miller burst into the Kilmarnock area and found Hamilton with a cheeky back-heel but MacPherson made a telling block to deny the striker a shot on target.

Di Giacomo showed great promise and he was involved in Kilmarnock's best move so far on the hour.

The youngster found MacPherson on the right and the full-back whipped in a dangerous cross which Holt got the faintest of touches to, but his header went wide of the post.

Dargo attempted to provide a spark two minutes later when he went on a determined run, but his pass to Di Giacomo had too much pace and Gordon Marshall was glad to collect the ball.

Both managers were becoming more desperate and Di Giacomo was replaced by Christophe Cocard and Paul Robinson came on for United in place of Lilley.

The visitors looked the more likely to score and in the 67th minute Easton swung in a dangerous cross which Hannah reached but was unable to direct his header on target.

Cocard left McCunnie in his wake on the left flank before whipping in a fierce cross which Jason de Vos had to head behind for a corner.

But the visitors could not grab all three points late on despite their best efforts.

However this point could still prove as important as any come the end of the campaign.

Teams: Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, McGowne, Dindeleux, Baker, Canero, Holt, Reilly, Di Giacomo (Cocard 65), Mitchell, Dargo.

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Wright, Innes, Hay.

Booked: McGowne.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Buchan, De Vos, Lauchlan, McCunnie (Smith 86), Easton, Miller, Griffin, Hannah, Hamilton (Naveda 83), Lilley (Robinson 65).

Subs Not Used: Combe, Venetis.

Booked: Lauchlan, McCunnie.

Att: 6,227

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).