Jim Jefferies' men who could not take advantage
of Lee Miller's first half dismissal. United may still not have won
at Rugby Park in two and a half years, but this performance will
have delighted manager Craig Brewster who watched his side defend
brilliantly, especially in the second half.
With a full quota in the opening half, the
Tayside club looked dangerous on the break and Barry Robson had
three half chances, but none that really threatened Kilmarnock
goalkeeper Graeme Smith.
Killie had two opportunities of their own and
Steven Naismith's 24th minute piledriver was heading for the top
corner until Derek Stillie flew across goal to tip it over.
Frazer Wright should have given Jefferies' side
the advantage five minutes later but, after losing his marker at
Garry Hay's corner, he headed over from all of four yards. The
talking point of the half was undoubtedly Miller's ordering off
for
two yellow cards. The United striker unbelievably received his first
caution for persistent fouling - with not even 10 minutes on the
clock. It set the tone for the afternoon for Miller, referee Stuart Dougal finally lost patience in 39 minutes when the front man caught
Wright as the two went up for a header.
It left Brewster with an almighty headache before
the half-time whistle was blown since Miller was his lone striker.
United eventually made the change and Irishman
Noel Hunt, who scored a superb opener at Ibrox last week, came on
for midfielder Stuart Duff. It had all the signs of being a tough 45
minutes for the visitors. United had other ideas, however, and
frustrated Kilmarnock and their fans with a solid defensive display
with Alan Archibald, in particular, a commanding figure at the back.
Indeed the only time Stillie was bothered at all
was from long distance and a few crosses. Hay's 68th minute effort
from 20 yards was perhaps the closest the home side came and even
that was more in hope than conviction.
Brewster gave a debut to new £35,000 signing
David Proctor in 79 minutes, replacing Collin Samuel, and he took
his place on the right of midfield.
United could have
stolen it later on when Hunt latched on to Greg Cameron's through
ball, but, from a tight angle, he drove the attempt just wide. With
only a few minutes remaining, Christian Kalvenes nicked the ball off
Naismith's foot to deny the Killie man a certain goal which helped
secure a great point for the hard-working Taysiders.
