Kilmarnock 3 Dundee United 2

Magennis 10, Johnston 52, Clingan 90; Ciftci (pen) 2, Anier 13

KILMARNOCK are making a useful habit of this. Their last home victory prior to this had arrived via an injury-time direct free kick and they were at it again yesterday to see off Dundee United following an almighty tussle. Given all they had contributed to the contest, in the second half especially, few could argue they were not worthy of what was their first win since New Year's Day.

The clock had ticked two minutes beyond the regulation 90 when John Rankin collided with Paul Cairney just outside the United penalty box. Alexei Eremenko, scorer of the late match-winning free kick last time around back in December, had already been substituted, presenting an opportunity to Sammy Clingan. His kick was true, sailing over the wall and past Radoslaw Cierzniak in goal. United, who had led twice in the game, had no time to respond.

It marked the perfect start for Gary Locke in his first home match in temporary charge. An air of gloom has hung over Kilmarnock for most of the season, the despondency heightened by the recent resignation of manager Allan Johnston following the sale of forward Robbie Muirhead late on deadline day. This, then, was a shot in the arm, the relief and joy almost palpable around the stadium at full-time. Locke is already making a pitch to be given the manager's job beyond the summer, and results and performances like this will do his case no harm at all. He did not forget his predecessor among the celebrations either.

"It's important to remember that Allan did such a good job here so that result was for him," said Locke. "It's been a hard couple of weeks for both of us. Allan brought me here, he gave me the opportunity. It's the mark of him that he said to me to go and try to get the job for myself. I'm delighted with the result but I'm thinking about him as well. Not only is he a really good manager but also a great friend. I won't forget what he has done for me so that result was certainly for him."

The joy at full-time was not restricted to the stands. "You should have seen the dressing room afterwards," said Clingan. "The lads were high-fiving each other; you would have thought we had won the cup. We just want to do well for ourselves but also the new manager."

Given everything that has transpired at Kilmarnock in recent times then it was little surprise that a Johnston played a big part in proceedings. Allan Johnston has gone, chairman Michael Johnston will step down as chairman next month, leaving just winger Chris at the club. He ensured the family name would remain in the headlines for another day by scoring Kilmarnock's second equaliser early in the second half.

It is not a goal that Cierzniak will look back upon with any great fondness. Johnston's poke at the ball seemed to lack the power to trouble him but it somehow evaded his grasp to trundle softly into the net. Given the fairly wretched run of luck Kilmarnock have endured of late then they will surely take any element of good fortune that comes their way.

United's season will be defined by how they fare in the two cup competitions but there will surely be a frustration at succumbing to a first defeat since December, especially having led twice. They remain one of the most exciting teams to watch when they break forward at speed but they demonstrated that threat only in flashes, allowing Kilmarnock to gradually get more of a foothold in the contest.

"It's tough and disappointing," admitted the United manager. "The three goals we lost today were very poor to say the least. In the first half I thought we were excellent and could have had a few more goals. In the second I thought we were far too deep at times."

The decision to sell Muirhead late without consulting him was the principle reason for manager Johnston's resignation and, by a quirk of fate, the forward was back at Rugby Park to make his debut. Arriving as a substitute after 72 minutes, the 18 year-old was afforded more cheers than boos from the home fans who would no doubt have been relieved not see him achieve much more than a brief stretching of the legs.

The sale of Muirhead, combined with injuries to Lee Miller and Michael Ngoo, had left Locke with Josh Magennis as his sole centre forward option and the Northern Irishman did not shirk the responsibility with a hard-working performance. He scored Kilmarnock's first equaliser after 10 minutes by stretching to divert a knock down beyond Cierzniak, hit the post with another chance, and generally made a nuisance of himself.

United will reflect on a day of missed opportunities. They went in front early on after Eremenko tripped Rankin and Nadir Ciftci fizzed home the penalty, then regained the lead following Magennis' equaliser when Henri Anier scored his first goal for the club. The second half, though, and the spoils belonged entirely to Kilmarnock.

KILMARNOCK (4-4-1-1): Samson; Westlake, Pascali, Connolly, Chantler; Johnston (Cairney 86), Slater (Hamill 73), Clingan, Obadeyi; Eremenko (Eccleston 86); Magennis

Subs not used: Brennan, Barbour, O'Hara, Syme

Booked: Westlake 22, Pascali 83, Cairney 87

DUNDEE UNITED (4-1-2-3): Cierzniak; McGowan, Dillon, Morris (Spark 46), Dixon; Rankin; Erskine (Spittal 57), Telfer; Ciftci, Anier (Muirhead 73), Dow

Subs not used: Szromnik, Paton, Butcher, Connolly

Booked: Anier 35, Spark 67

Ref: Stephen Finnie

Att: 3788

Man of the match: Tope Obadeyi