A heavy downpour in Dundee overnight meant that today's clash at Tannadice only went ahead after passing two pitch inspections, referee Stephen Conroy eventually happy with the work carried out by the ground staff on the areas of concern. John Hughes made just one change to the side that defeated Irvine Meadow last weekend in the Scottish Cup, Patrick Cregg returning to the starting line-up for the first time since September, with Colin Nish dropping to the bench.

Dundee United got the action underway and immediately attacked down their left flank, Dixon cutting the ball inside to Goodwillie who held off a couple of challenges before setting up Buaben for a strike at goal - his effort however was off target. The home side kept up their early pressure and went close to scoring when a wicked free kick from Dixon took a deflection and appeared to be heading for the top right hand corner of the net before a stunning stop from Smith denied him.

Hibernian were struggling in the early stages to hold their opponents who again went close with a strike from Conway that was deflected wide for a corner kick. From the resulting set piece taken by Conway, Daly was allowed a free header 8 yards from goal but thankfully for John Hughes' men, he was unable to guide it towards goal. After surviving the early onslaught Hibernian began to settle and create a chance or two of their own and on 16 minutes, Wotherspoon's deep cross was caught flush on the volley by Riordan at the back post and only an instinctive save from Pernis kept the Hibs striker out.

Dundee United however were still dominant and a point blank save from Smith kept out Webster. The former Hearts defender got his head to Swanson's cross to the back post and despite only being a couple of yards from goal, he was denied by an instinctive block from Smith. Hibernian suffered a blow on 32 minutes when Zemmama limped from the field to be replaced by Benjelloun, the Moroccan playmaker had been Hibernian's best man up until this point and anything the Edinburgh side had done in a positive manner had come through Zemmama.

Zemmama had barely had time to settle into his seat on the bench when Dundee United were awarded a penalty kick in controversial circumstances. There was little debate that Hogg had fouled Buaben, but the challenge on the Dundee United player had clearly occurred outside of the penalty box - however main stand linesman Martin Cryans signed it was inside and referee Stephen Conroy pointed to the spot. The decision incensed the Hibernian players who immediately surrounded the official but he would not be swayed. Dundee United striker Goodwillie, who has an excellent scoring record against Hibernian, took the spot kick but was denied by a stunning save from Smith low to his right, even when the rebound landed back at the forward he was unable to score, as he sent his header wide from only six yards with the goal gaping in front of him.

Dundee United were only denied the opening goal however by a couple of minutes and again the officials appeared to have called it wrong. Goodwillie from an offside position slipped the ball through to Danny Swanson and the Edinburgh-born player produced a cool finish when he drove the ball across goal and into the far corner of the net with Smith for once beaten. Dundee United thoroughly deserved their lead at this point yet all their hard work could have been undone almost immediately when a 35-yard free kick from Rankin was touched around the post by Pernis. The goalkeeper did fantastically well to get down to the shot and not to spill it back into play, but he did pick up an injury in the process which required treatment before he could continue.

On the counter attack Dundee United should have made more of their next opportunity as they broke forward with numbers in their favour. Buaben burst forward with Goodwillie on his right, Swanson on his left and only Hogg and Murray between them and goal. Swanson was the better option but Buaben chose to play the ball to Goodwillie and the striker's effort at goal was blocked by Murray. In the dying seconds of the half Hibernian won a corner kick but it came to nothing as Dundee United cleared the ball comfortably. It had been one of Hibernian's most disappointing performances of the season so far with the only saving grace being that the game was not yet beyond them.

Half Time: Dundee United 1 Hibernian 0

John Hughes made his second change of the afternoon during the interval with Cregg replaced by Thicot. Hibernian got the action under way once more and they started positively with Benjelloun shooting just wide from the edge of the home penalty area before Riordan pounced on a slack pass from Dods out of defence but Pernis

At the other end Smith was again called into action to deny Daly after good link-up play with Goodwillie, the goalkeeper this time blocking with his legs and moments later took a knock in a challenge with Webster as Hibernian defended a corner kick. First half goal scorer Swanson had a drive across goal and wide before Rankin picked up a yellow card for a foul on Conway as Dundee United burst forward. There was more fight about Hibernian in the second half and when Murray charged down a clearance from Webster the Dundee United defence opened up. Murray did well to hold up the ball before slipping it into the feet of Miller and his curling shot was kept out by the finger tips of the diving Pernis with Dixon completing the clearance.

Pouring rain made the already difficult playing conditions even worse but Hibernian continued to battle on whilst Dundee United attempted to slow the game down. Hibernian's final change saw Stokes replaced by Nish and immediately Hibernian carried a greater physical presence. Rankin then flashed an effort over the cross bar after Riordan's corner was only partially cleared and for the first time in the game the home defence was being put under pressure. Spotting the danger posed to his side, Dundee United boss Houston brought on Myrie-Williams for Swanson but Hibernian kept up their pressure. Good hold-up play from Benjelloun allowed Wotherspoon to get forward and cross the ball into the penalty area where Nish did enough to lose his man but sent his header just wide.

Hibernian kept going and Wotherspoon was incredibly unlucky not to equalise when he met Murray's cross on the volley, his right foot shot striking the post before hitting the arm of Pernis and going just wide of goal. Benjelloun was booked for trip on Conway and moments later Riordan should have made more of a break forward when he cut inside Kovacevic and with Dods going to ground but the striker snatched at his chance.

In the dying moments Dundee United replaced Goodwillie and Daly with Dillon and Casalinuovo as the home side held on to claim all three points and move above Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table, albeit Hibs have a game in hand. In the end Hibernian could have little complaints after a shocking first half where goalkeeper Smith kept them in the game for long spells, but an improved second half from the Edinburgh men was almost enough to take a point.

Dundee United: Pernis, Webster, Dods, Conway, Daly, Swanson, Buaben, Gomis, Kovacevic, Dixon, Goodwillie. Subs: Banks, Dillon, Myrie-Williams, Shala, Casalinuovo, Cameron, Hill.

Hibernian: Smith, Hogg, Murray, Zemmama, Cregg, Riordan, Rankin, Stokes, Hanlon, Wotherspoon, Miller. Subs: Ma-Kalambay, McCann, Nish, Thicot, Stevenson, McBride, Benjelloun.

Report: Richard Payne