Marvin Andrews struck a wonderful late winner to earn Livingston all three points at Tannadice.

Dundee United looked set for another valuable point in the battle against relegation before the Trinidadian international raced 40 yards upfield with three minutes remaining.

Andrews exchanged a one-two with Juanjo Camacho and brushed off David McCracken before hitting a left-foot shot past Paul Gallacher from six yards out.

But the goal was the only real highlight on a disappointing afternoon at Tannadice.

The first half had begun with some promise and it was the visitors who started slightly the better.

Livi midfielder Lee Makel's free-kick from the left found defender Oscar Rubio at the back post but the Spaniard's poor header went wide.

At the other end, a tremendous Jim Paterson cross from the left presented an even easier chance for Derek Lilley but the big striker managed to head wide from almost under the bar.

Livingston goalkeeper Alan Main did well to shove a Jamie McCunnie shot from 12 yards round the post.

But the home side began to take a grip of the game and, on the half-hour mark, influential midfielder Charlie Miller fired in a powerful angled shot which Main smothered down low with striker Jim McIntyre waiting to pounce.

United manager Ian McCall introduced experienced substitute Billy Dodds for McCunnie at half-time in order to shake up his lethargic side.

Miller released Lilley with a great pass after only two minutes of the re-start but the United striker was eventually caught outside the Livi box by Makel who cleared with a last-gasp tackle.

In the 55th minute, United defenders Gary Bollan and McCracken got themselves in a tangle which ended with Makel sending in a dangerous cross from the right.

But Phillipe Brinquin cleared and the home side were let off the hook.

United looked more lively and industrious while the visitors seemed content to simply contain and play on the break.

It made for poor viewing for the fans who became increasingly restless as the second half wore on.

United striker Jim McIntyre had a penalty claim turned down when he clashed with Andrews in the Livingston box but referee Craig Thomson had a perfect view and awarded a free-kick to the Livi defender.

In the 63rd minute, Paterson fouled Makel wide on the right and, from the resultant free-kick, Andrews narrowly missed with a header from close range.

Eleven minutes later, Dodds set up McIntyre inside the Livi box but the United striker's shot from 16 yards was straight at Main who saved easily.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw but, in the 87th minute, Andrews rescued the game for the visitors when he scored a wonderful winner.

Taking a pass from substitute Camacho, on earlier for Colin McMenamin, the big defender raced upfield and held off McCracken before slipping the ball past Gallacher.

But the fine goal looked out of place in such a poor game.

Teams

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Tod, McCracken, Bollan, McCunnie (Dodds 45), Easton, Duff, Miller, Paterson (Ogunmade 73), Lilley (Griffin 76), McIntyre.

Subs Not Used: Combe, Carson.

Livingston: Main, Maidana, Andrews, Rubio, Brinquin, Makel, Lovell, O'Brien (Quino 82), Bahoken, Xausa (Zarate 71), McMenamin (Camacho 82).

Subs Not Used: McEwan, Toure-Maman.

Booked: Brinquin, Quino, Camacho.

Goals: Andrews 87.

Att: 6,247

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).