United may have been missing the influential pairing of Barry Robson
and Lee Wilkie following their respective dismissals in last weekend's
defeat at Aberdeen, but their absence never showed as the hosts took an
early lead.
Kilmarnock's backline failed miserably in their efforts to thwart the
predatory instincts of Hunt who finished confidently from six yards out
and the Irishman continued to pose the visitors problems.
In the 11th minute, Hunt's cross from the right-wing was knocked down
by Jon Daly, who was making his first start in more than six months
following the cruciate ligament injury he suffered towards the end of last
season.
Buaben was first on to the loose ball and saw a shot well saved by
Combe, before Robertson somehow clipped his effort on the rebound over the
crossbar.
Despite that miss United remained on top and Morgaro Gomis was the next
player to test Combe, with a low drive from 20 yards that was touched wide
by the Kilmarnock goalkeeper.
The Tannadice club's efforts were helped by an uncharacteristically
lethargic display from Kilmarnock, who failed to build any threatening
attacks and looked distinctly second best.
Nine minutes prior to the interval the visitors came perilously close
to falling further behind, as once again they failed to cope with a basic
ball played into the penalty area.
Sean Dillon's corner found its way to Dods at the front post all too
easily and the central defender should have done far better with his
downward header which bounced over the bar.
However, Kilmarnock began the second period in far more promising
fashion and within three minutes of the restart they crafted two
goalscoring opportunities.
A foul by Dods on Colin Nish resulted in a free-kick and from Iain
Flannigan's delivery, Mark Kerr just got to the ball ahead of Kilmarnock's
Danny Invincibile to clear.
The following corner was headed towards goal by Frazer Wright, but home
goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski was able to gather the ball rather
unconvincingly at the second attempt.
United retaliated impressively through a 30-yard free-kick from Hunt,
which drew a good save from Combe down to his left-hand side.
Kilmarnock may have played poorly throughout, but they were only denied
an equaliser by an outstanding save from Szamotulski, who blocked a
well-struck volley across goal from Gary Wales with ten minutes
remaining.
The game then ended in controversial circumstances as Robertson was
sent-off for sending Combe sprawling to the turf following O'Leary's foul
on Buaben and the visiting keeper then got up to brilliantly block Hunt's
spot-kick.
But there was still time for Buaben to score a tap-in and give United
their sixth win at Tannadice in the league this season.
