A disputed penalty that was converted in style by Jim McIntyre eight minutes from time confirmed Dundee United's victory at Kilmarnock.
The home side, who had been trailing to Billy Dodds' first-half opener, were convinced Steve Fulton had been harshly punished by referee Kevin Toner for a challenge on substitute Jason Scotland.
It was only United's second victory over Killie in the last 22 meetings but a second successive home loss for the Ayrshiremen, who had dominated the second half but failed to find the net.
A sparse crowd witnessed a lethargic start from the home side, who had been boosted by news that pre-match doubts Peter Canero and Stephen Murray had been able to play.
United enjoyed the better of some inconsequential early exchanges until Dodds broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.
The former Rangers man had been operating as an attacking midfielder behind McIntyre and former Killie favourite Andy McLaren and lost his marker once Barry
Robson had flighted a free-kick into the box.
Freddie Dindeleux had made an attempt to head it away but, when he could get only the slightest of touches, the ball quickly found its way to Dodds at the far post and he lost no time in rifling a low drive past Francois Dubourdeau.
Killie were left scrabbling for scraps before the break and, when Colin Nish saw his header hit the arm of David McCracken in the United box, he was distraught to realise that referee Toner had ruled the contact accidental.
United winger Barry Robson had been a pre-match doubt with a shoulder injury and required treatment after firing a cross into the box.
He recovered to waste a good chance close to half-time after the Killie backline had failed to deal with a high ball aimed at McLaren.
The ball fell to the former Inverness man in a position similar to the Dodds goal but, on this occasion, the resulting shot was hurried and far too high.
Killie boss Jim Jefferies made a change at the break, with James Fowler replacing Murray, with the little winger having been suffering from a tooth abscess all week.
Fowler made efforts to make a difference with crosses into the box and also saw a fierce drive deflected just wide off a defender after Gary McDonald had fired a shot off a team-mate.
United made a change up front in the 55th minute, with Scotland replacing McLaren.
Peter Canero was booked two minutes later when referee Toner decided his fall in the box under a McCracken challenge had been an attempt to con him into
awarding a penalty.
United's Jim Paterson was shown a yellow card straight after for a trip on McDonald and the visitors had goalkeeper Paul Gallacher to thank for remaining
in front.
The Scotland international pulled off a remarkable reflex stop to keep out Colin Nish's header from the free-kick, with the goalkeeper diving to his
left-hand post to paw the ball away.
Nish was then replaced by Kris Boyd in the 65th minute as the home side sought an alternative route for that elusive equaliser, with the balance of the game
having shifted firmly their way if not the scoreline.
United were doing nothing but defending by now but wave after wave of Killie attacks were repelled despite the introduction of Martin Hardie, who came on for
Garry Hay, to beef up midfield.
By that time United had made a defensive change, with Stuart Duff replacing Paterson, and another followed with the swapping of Mark Kerr with Danny Griffin.
A swift counter-attack saw United wrap up the game with nine minutes remaining, albeit in controversial style.
A rare counter attack had seen Scotland go down in the box under a challenge by Fulton and, although referee Toner was some distance behind the play, he quickly pointed to the spot.
Up stepped McIntyre and made sure of the points with a cheeky chipped effort that fooled Dubourdeau and ended up just under the crossbar.
Teams
Kilmarnock Dubourdeau, Shields, Dindeleux, Greer,
Hay (Hardie 77), Canero, Fulton, McDonald, Murray (Fowler 45),
Nish (Boyd 65), McSwegan.
Subs Not Used: Samson, McLaughlin.
Booked: Canero.
Dundee Utd Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Archibald,
Kerr (Griffin 80), McInnes, Robson, James Paterson (Duff 72),
McLaren (Scotland 55), Dodds, McIntyre.
Subs Not Used: Jarvie, Miller.
Booked: James Paterson.
Goals: Dodds 20, McIntyre 82 pen.
Att: 6,062
Ref: K Toner (Scotland).
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