Charlie Miller netted an injury-time winner to help Dundee United move closer to Bank of Scotland Premier League safety at Almondvale.

The Tannadice men were outplayed for long periods, despite taking a second-minute lead thanks to a Jim McIntyre header.

Livingston eventually grabbed the reward for their possession when substitute David Bingham nodded an equaliser with 12 minutes left.

Relegation-threatened United won the game three minutes into injury-time when Miller got on the end of a McIntyre cut-back and, despite not striking the ball cleanly, saw his effort end up in the back of the net.

It sealed a priceless three points for the visitors who are now just one win away from safety.

But it was more heartache for Livingston, who deserved at least a point with United goalkeeper Alan Combe producing a string of fine saves.

The home side almost got off to a dream start inside 20 seconds when Fernando Pasquinelltabbed wide from Davide Xausa's cross.

But they were made to pay for that miss when United took the lead after just 90 seconds. Derek Lilley collected the ball on the left and delivered a chipped cross which McIntyre headed into the net at the back post with goalkeeper Alan Main stranded.

Livingston were desperate to hit back and it took a fine save from Combe to keep them out in the 16th minute when he tipped over a fiercely struck drive from Lee Makel.

Juanjo Camacho wasted a promising chance for the home side three minutes later when he blasted high and wide from a free-kick on the right.

Combe pulled off a fantastic save when he dived full length to hold a net-bound strike from Xausa.

Livingston were firmly in command despite their deficit and Combe again looked sound when he grasped a Zarate effort from 20 yards in the 37th minute.

United had an amazing let-off in the 69th minute when a Pasquinelli shot was blocked by Jim Lauchlan and Stuart Lovell hammered the rebound off the crossbar.

Then Pasquinelli himself dragged a shot wide from a Rolando Zarate knock-on and it seemed a matter of time before the hosts would equalise.

Livingston grabbed a deserved equaliser with 12 minutes left thanks to Bingham.

Phillipe Brinquin delivered the perfect cross for the unmarked Bingham and, for once, there was nothing Combe could do as he headed home from close range.

The visitors won the match in injury-time with probably the scrappiest goal of Miller's career when he bundled the ball into the net from a cut-back from McIntyre.

Teams

Livingston: Main, Brinquin, Maidana, McNamee, Camacho, Lovell, Makel (Brittain 51), O'Brien, Xausa (Quino 68), Pasquinelli, Zarate (Bingham 68).

Subs Not Used: Emilio Lopez, McMenamin.

Booked: Lovell, Pasquinelli.

Goals: Bingham 78.

Dundee Utd: Combe, Lauchlan, Tod, Bollan, Duff, Griffin, Latapy (Easton 57), Miller, Paterson (Wilson 60), Lilley (Dodds 83), McIntyre.

Subs Not Used: Gallacher, McCracken.

Booked: Lilley.

Goals: McIntyre 2, Miller 90.

Att: 6,314

Ref: K Clark (Scotland).