Jamie Buchan's first-half wonder strike gave Dundee United a priceless victory over Motherwell to keep them one point clear of bottom club St Mirren with three games remaining.

But the match was marred by an ugly flare-up between United midfielder Charlie Miller and Motherwell's James Okoli, which resulted in the dismissal of the Fir Park defender.

It was a dark end to a bright week for the former Rangers man, who won his first Scotland cap in midweek.

National coach Craig Brown claimed that Miller needed to improve his fitness if he wants to further his international career but his temperament must also be brought into question.

However the victory - with the finishing line in sight - remains the most pressing issue for United boss Alex Smith at this point especially with St Mirren breathing down their necks after Monday's dramatic win at Love Street.

United looked to be suffering a hangover from that disastrous finale as main culprit Jim Lauchlan, who handed the Paisley club a lifeline with a basic error, and his fellow defenders looked nervous from the first whistle.

But, in attack, they looked dangerous although in the early exchanges they wasted a number of free-kicks in dangerous positions.

Danny Griffin fired a right-foot free-kick from 20 yards over the crossbar, after Ange Oueifio had brought down Jim Hamilton in the 13th minute.

Moments later Keith Lasley was fortunate to escape a booking after cutting down David Hannah.

United were again wasteful from a dangerous position and they almost paid the price in the 16th minute.

The impressive Said Chiba, who sprayed around a number of good passes, knocked the ball downfield to Kevin Twaddle and the skipper's first-time strike flew just wide of the upright.

But United came roaring back and youth team goalkeeper Jon Connolly, who was making his debut, was tested for the first time in the 22nd minute.

Derek Lilley's looping effort from Miller's corner had the youngster frantically back-pedalling towards his goal, but he managed to catch the ball just underneath his crossbar.

United continued to probe and a clever through-ball from Craig Easton in the 32nd minute almost created a good chance for Buchan.

He had made a good run into the box, but the youngster's control let him down and the chance went begging.

But the former Aberdeen player, made amends in the 37th minute when he fired his side in front.

Buchan picked up the ball on the halfway line before breaking forward and unleashing a swerving right-foot drive from long range which flew past Connolly and nestled in the top corner.

United grew in confidence from that goal and they should have doubled their lead four minutes later.

Hamilton's dummy from Easton's pass gave Derek Lilley a great chance but he fired his right-foot effort straight at Connolly.

Connolly again kept his side in the game right on the stroke of half-time as he saved David Partridge's fierce left-foot volley.

United clearly had their tails up when they emerged from the dressing room after the break.

The Motherwell defence looked uneasy with the presence of Lilley and Hamilton and Connolly also began to look nervous.

Miller almost played David Hannah clean through on goal in the 48th minute and moments later Hamilton's dipping effort flew just over the bar with Connolly struggling to get back.

Benito Kemble then needlessly gave the ball away to Lilley and brought him down to earn the first yellow card of the day.

Lilley again got away down the right in the 53rd minute and the busy Connolly did well to save his effort low to his right.

But Motherwell's hopes of salvaging at least a point from the game all but evaporated in the 57th minute when they were controversially reduced to ten men.

Tempers flared in the 57th minute which resulted in the controversial sending-off of Okoli.

Okoli brought down Miller, but the midfielder reacted angrily on the ground and the pair had to be dragged away from each other.

Referee John Underhill seemed set to show both players red cards but Miller escaped with just a booking to the disbelief of the Motherwell players and travelling fans.

Moments later and Oueifio went into the book for another reckless challenge on Hannah, while Lasley also received a caution for a late tackle on Miller.

But despite the one-man advantage, United got the fright of their life in the 72nd minute when Stephen Pearson sent Twaddle away down the right and he cut inside before hitting a great strike which just shaved the upright.

Smith decided to take Miller off for Tassos Venetis in the 79th minute and the former Rangers man was jeered by the opposition's fans as he left the field.

But Lauchlan almost made amends for his mishap at St Mirren when he rose in the box to head Easton's corner over the bar.

Substitute Steven Thompson glanced a header just past the post with time ticking down.

But the points are all that matters at this stage of the season and although St Mirren also took the three points today, to keep the pressure on, fate is still in United hands.

Teams

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, McCunnie, Griffin, Lauchlan, Partridge, Easton, Buchan, Miller (Venetis 78), Hannah, Lilley (Winters 89), Hamilton (Thompson 69).

Subs Not Used: Combe, De Vos.

Booked: Miller.

Goals: Buchan 36.

Motherwell: Connolly, Ouiefio, Kemble, Okoli, Hammell, Chiba (Adams 63), Harvey, Lasley, Pearson (Elliott 81), Wood (Corrigan 59), Twaddle.

Subs Not Used: Woods, McFadden.

Sent Off: Okoli (56).

Booked: Ouiefio, Lasley.

Att: 5,928

Ref: J Underhill (Scotland).