Dundee United grabbed all three points against a lacklustre Motherwell side to enable them to record their first win over the Steelmen this season after a disappointing sequence of results.

In a disappointing season for both clubs, this encounter appealed only to the die-hards, and this was reflected in the crowd of 5,108, the lowest league attendance at Tannadice this season.

Steven Thompson was on hand to score the winner in the 67th minute, giving the youngster a timely boost ahead of his inclusion in the Scotland squad for the friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday.

It spoke volumes that Charlie Miller was head and shoulders above everyone else on the park - he deservedly went off with minutes to go to a standing ovation from the home support - and if not for his intervention a boring no-score draw would have been the outcome.

At least United have finished the season with a flourish even if their position suggests mid-table mediocrity, and after last Sunday's 2-1 win over Hibernian there are positive points for manager Alex Smith to ponder over the summer.

United dominated the early proceedings with Motherwell not getting into gear until the latter stages of the first half.

Thompson went close in the 17th minute when he headed goalward from Jim Lauchlan's free-kick only for Motherwell goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau to palm away.

Motherwell eventually roused themselves in the 28th minute only for Stuart Elliott to flash a shot wide when unmarked, but the Northern Ireland international will be disappointed he didn't equalise.

A few minutes later team-mate and Frenchman David Ferrere slipped into space but Paul Gallagher was alert enough to smartly stop his effort.

It was about as much as Motherwell could muster when United came out slightly more fired up in the second half. Their forwards pressed the visitors' defenders back into their own penalty area, and Miller was at the heart of all the best moves.

After a good effort from Tassos Venetis was saved United's patience was finally rewarded.

Venetis set up Miller 25 yards out, and the former Ranger created a yard of space to lash in a left-foot shot, and as the ball came off both Dubourdeau and the post Thompson had the easiest of tasks to knock the ball home.

Motherwell chief Eric Black had to send on substitute goalkeeper Stephen Woods and he did well to deny Venetis again, and as Motherwell's challenge petered out, United kept all three points.

Teams:

Dundee Utd Gallacher, Duff, Griffin (O'Donnell 11), Lauchlan, McCracken, Easton, Miller (Ogunmade 85), Venetis, Aljofree, Lilley (Winters 57), Thompson.

Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Paterson.

Goals: Thompson 67.

Motherwell Dubourdeau (Woods 76), Ready, Deloumeaux, Bernhard, Corrigan, Ferrere, Hammell, Adams, McFadden, Lehmann (Martinez 73), Elliott.

Subs Not Used: Cosgrove, Ramsey, Fagan.

Booked: Adams, Ready.

Att: 5,108

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).