The Ayrshire side could have no complaints on a miserable day both on
and off the park.
Contrary to the team sheet, Killie midfielder Mehdi Taouil did not
start with Allan Johnston taking his place, the confusion typifying the
home side's inept first-half performance.
In fairness, there was little action at either end until Robson's goal
just before the half-hour mark.
After possession changed hands in quick succession again, Noel Hunt
drove his pass to the Scotland international on the right-hand side of the
Killie box.
Robson jinked around Rugby Park defender Frazer Wright all too easily
and toe-poked the ball past Combe at the near post.
In the 14th minute Robson swung in a corner from the right with Combe
doing well to rise above a crowd and push the ball away for a corner.
Killie survived several more corners but never threatened themselves
until the 35th minute when defender Simon Ford had the ball in the United
net with a close-range header but was ruled offside.
In the closing seconds of the first half Combe pulled off a good save
from a Darren Dods header following a Conway corner.
For the start of the second period Killie replaced Johnston and Di
Giacomo with Wales and Willie Gibson while Prince Buaben came on for
Morgaro Gomis.
It was United who almost doubled their lead in the 50th minute when
Combe made his first mistake of the day when trying to claw away a Robson
cross under his crossbar, but the ball was eventually cleared to safety.
Moments later, Gibson enthusiastically fired in Killie's first
dangerous ball of the afternoon from the left but found no takers.
The play soon dropped to the depressing standards of the first half but
United still had the upper hand.
On the hour mark another Gibson cross from the left fizzed dangerously
through the Tannadice six-yard box to no avail but it gave some fleeting
encouragement to the home fans.
However, in the 65th minute that evaporated when United grabbed a
second through a surprising blunder by Combe.
The Killie keeper looked favourite to gather Robson's deep cross from
the right but, with Martyn Corrigan by his side, he misjudged the flight
of the ball and slipped, leaving Conway to nod into the empty net from 10
yards out.
Minutes later Combe was called upon to deal with a cheeky long-distance
chip from Robson under his bar but, in front of the small band of baying
travelling fans, the Killie keeper stood firm.
In the 81st minute the Rugby Park side pulled a goal back when sub
Gary Wales
slammed home a pass from substitute David Fernandez, who had earlier
replaced Craig Bryson.
The goal set up a tense finale and with one minute remaining Fraser
Wright's header following a Garry Hay corner bounced inches past the
United post.
83 mins
