A late strike from Irish frontman Noel Hunt gave 10-man Dundee United victory at Motherwell.

Craig Levein's side had been hauled back onto level terms by Motherwell after snatching a 2-0 half-time lead.

But the Tangerines rallied to grab their first away win under Levein despite the first-half dismissal of Christian Kalvenes for two bookings.

Motherwell boss Maurice Malpas made one change to the side which lost heavily to Hearts last week, with Darren Smith coming into the starting line-up at the expense of Steven McGarry.

On-loan Hearts striker Calum Elliot was restored to the bench after being forced to sit out last week's match at Tynecastle.

United boss Craig Levein brought David McCracken into the starting line-up which beat Caley Thistle last week, with Stuart Duff dropping to the bench, but there were no other changes.

Scotland defender Lee Wilkie was also unavailable for the visitors having gone out on loan to Ross County to build up his fitness.

The hosts passed up a great early chance when David Clarkson was sent clear on the right side after five minutes, and the striker's low shot was saved by the feet of United goalkeeper Colin Meldrum.

And a minute later the Steel Men were awarded a free-kick inside the United box when referee Mike McCurry penalised McCracken for picking up a back-pass.

A wall of United players on goalkeeper Derek Stillie's line did its job to charge down Scott McDonald's effort after the ball was played short to him.

The hosts were doing all the pressing and passed up another fine opportunity five minutes later when Darren Smith crossed from the right and Paul Quinn headed over from close range.

United's best effort early on came when striker Noel Hunt charged down a clearance from goalkeeper Colin Meldrum, but with the goal at his mercy he skewed the ball wide from a tight angle.

Motherwell came close again in the 25th minute after fine work from Brian Kerr on the left saw the midfielder square for McDonald, but the striker's left-footed effort was parried by Stillie.

The hosts fell behind against the run of play in 27 minutes to a well-crafted goal from United.

Winger Craig Conway jinked past Quinn on the left and floated in a cross which found Collin Samuel at the back post and he lashed a left-footed volley into the roof of Meldrum's net.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men just a minute later when Christian Kalvenes was dismissed after receiving his second yellow card.

The goalscorer was replaced 10 minutes from the break, with Steven Robb coming on to shore up the full-back area vacated by Kalvenes.

But the 10 men doubled their lead two minutes before half-time, when David McCracken nodded home from close range after a Conway corner from the left.

Malpas thrust Elliot into the action five minutes after the restart, with Clarkson withdrawn, as the hosts tried to drag themselves back into the game.

They broke through after 61 minutes when McCurry awarded a penalty against United, with Alan Archibald penalised for a push on Smith.

Richie Foran stepped up to slot a right-footed effort past Stillie from the spot.

The hosts were level six minutes later when Jim Paterson's corner from the right was met with a bullet header from Mark Reynolds which flew into the roof of Stillie's net.

Foran passed up a fine opportunity to give his side the lead after 71 minutes when he shot wide from close range after a cross from the right.

But the 10 men dramatically snatched a late winner when Barry Robson crossed from the right and Hunt finished from close range.

It was the striker's last involvement in the game as he picked up an injury in the process and was immediately replaced by David Goodwillie.

Teams:

Motherwell Meldrum, Quinn (Fitzpatrick 54), Craigan, Reynolds,Paterson, Darren Lee Smith (McGarry 85), Kerr, Corrigan, Foran,Clarkson (Elliot 51), McDonald.

Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, Kinniburgh, McBride, Connolly.

Booked: Paterson.

Goals: Foran 62 pen, Reynolds 68.

Dundee Utd Stillie, Kalvenes, Mair, McCracken, Archibald,Conway, Kerr, Robertson, Robson, Samuel (Robb 35),Hunt (Goodwillie 81).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Duff, Cameron, Kenneth, Smith.

Sent Off: Kalvenes (30).

Booked: Kalvenes.

Goals: Samuel 29, McCracken 45, Hunt 79.

Att: 4,420

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).