Three goals in 12 second-half minutes for Dundee United cut Livingston adrift at the foot of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The Tangerines claimed their first win in eight attempts under player-manager Craig Brewster after the West Lothian team had dominated the first hour of the game.

On-loan Hibernian striker Sam Morrow had given Livi a deserved 17th-minute lead.

But perhaps the loss of Livi boss John Robertson played its part when he was sent to the stand for kicking the ball away on the half-hour mark.

United striker Lee Miller rifled home the equaliser in the 68th minute before Mark Kerr put the hosts in front nine minutes later.

Miller added his second 10 minutes from time to complete a devastating blow to Livi's hopes of SPL survival.

Brewster had called for his player to start earning their contracts after the disappointing defeat by Hibernian last weekend.

Instead, though, it was Livi who dominated proceedings from the outset.

The visitors had the first clear sight of goal in the 10th minute when Allan Walker sent Morrow clear in the box, but the striker dragged a left-foot effort wide of goal.

But the hosts then swept upfield and almost grabbed an opener themselves a minute later.

David Fernandez crossed for Miller to send a looping header goalwards, but Livi keeper Roddy McKenzie tipped over.

But Robertson's side took the lead with terrific strike in the 17th minute.

Morrow robbed United's makeshift defender Barry Robson 25 yards from goal and the striker lashed a powerful effort low into the right-hand corner of Stillie's net.

The SPL's bottom club might have grabbed another in the 23rd minute when Walker flashed a right-foot effort past Stillie's post, while the keeper had to collect a dangerous David Mackay header two minutes later.

Livi manager Robertson was sent to the stand in the 30th minute after kicking the ball away in frustration after he thought Morrow had been fouled while chasing a through ball.

United almost grabbed a barely-deserved leveller in the 32nd minute when Kerr sent in a cross from the right and Robertson's header was tipped behind by McKenzie.

But United's defensive frailties were shown up again in the 43rd minute after a mix-up between centre-half Garry Kenneth and Stillie almost let Graeme Dorrans in.

Livi opened the second half full of confidence and should have extended their lead within two minutes of the restart.

Walker muscled his way down the right flank and crossed for Dorrans at the back post and he nodded it back across goal for Wes Hoolahan.

But the Irishman was unable to get his shot away from just a few yards out.

Livi brought on new signing Noel Whelan in the 57th minute and the former Leeds and Aberdeen man almost made an immediate impact.

The striker picked up a Morrow knock-on after more slack play from United and broke clear of the back line, but a weak left-foot chip from the edge of the box never troubled McKenzie.

It proved costly as United grabbed a leveller against the run of play in the 68th minute.

Defender Kenneth crossed from right and Miller did well to control the ball just inside the box, before turning to slot a right foot shot in off McKenzie's right post.

The hosts then went ahead when Kerr picked up a knock down from David Fernandez in the 77th minute and slotted a left-foot shot beyond McKenzie from the edge of the box.

The Tangerines secured victory three minutes later when Miller was on hand to finish from close range for his second strike of the day.

Teams

Dundee Utd Stillie, McCracken, Kenneth, Mair, Robson,Samuel (Goodwillie 87), Kerr, McInnes, Robertson, Miller,Fernandez.

Subs Not Used: Samson, Archibald, Duff, Gardiner, Abbot, Easton.

Goals: Miller 68, Kerr 77, Miller 80.

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee, Dorado, Strong, Mackay,Brittain, Adams, Hoolahan (Whelan 58), Walker (Tierney 52),Dorrans (Vincze 66), Morrow.

Subs Not Used: Roy, Snodgrass, Miller, Hislop.

Booked: McNamee, Vincze.

Goals: Morrow 17.

Att: 5,730

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).