Kilmarnock kept their European dream alive with a hard-fought win against disjointed United.

But the visitors could count themselves slightly unfortunate to end up with nothing for their efforts.

The home team rode their luck, particularly in the second half when United had the bulk of play and created most of the chances

But Killie always looked dangerous on the break with most of their chances created by Pat Nevin and Alex Burke, recalled to the starting line-up after sitting out last week's match at Motherwell.

The former Scotland Under-21 winger gave his side the best possible start with a goal after only 86 seconds.

Dylan Kerr sent Burke racing clear with a pass from well inside his own half, Burke took the ball in his stride and unleashed a fierce shot that went over goalkeeper Sieb Dykstra's hands and crashed into the net.

Within three minutes, Nevin could have netted a second Killie goal but Dykstra quickly came off his line to deny him.

But gradually United got into the match and could have drawn level in the 15th minute.

Gary McSwegan outfoxed the home defence with a clever shot on the turn from the edge of the box but Gordon Marshall was on the spot to hold his effort.

At the other end, Burke tried another shot but his effort lacked the accuracy of his early goal and the ball flew over the crossbar.

With 28 minutes gone, Kjell Olofsson was denied by another good save from Marshall as United started to impose their authority.

McSwegan was unlucky when he volleyed a Craig Easton cross just wide. Then just minutes before the interval, Olofsson missed a great opportunity to equalise when he completely missed the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

In a bid to salvage something from the match, United pushed more men forward and the Kilmarnock defence became under increasing pressure.

United substitute Lars Zetterland almost netted with a header in the 81st minute but the ball deflected off a Kilmarnock defender.

Then Paul Wright almost scored his 50th goal for the Rugby Park side, his clever chip just clearing Dykstra's crossbar.

In the dying minutes, the United goalkeeper joined his attack in the opposition's box for a Jamie Dolan corner but even his presence could not help salvage a point for the Tannadice side.

Teams:

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, Kerr, Lauchlan, Montgomerie, Reilly (Mitchell 59), Nevin, Holt, Wright, Roberts, Burke (Vareille 84).

Subs Not Used: Henry.

Goals: Burke 2.

Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Jenkins, Malpas, Pressley (Zetterlund 35), Perry, Jonsson, Olofsson, Easton, McSwegan (Bowman 79), Dolan, Valle (Winters 54).

Booked: Dolan.

Att: 7,246

Ref: T Brown (Edinburgh).