Midfielder Gavin Skelton capped his first start for the Ayrshire side since signing from Gretna with his first goal just before the interval after the home side had dominated the first half.

A fine finish to a good move by Danny Invincibile in the 58th minute doubled the visitors' lead, and although United continued to press, Killie resolutely held out.

Hearts are up to second as they bounced back from their Co-Operative Cup exit with a 2-1 win over Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

Goals from Marius Zaliukas and Andrew Driver secured the three points and ensured there would be no lingering fallout from Wednesday's epic tie against Airdrie.

Accies did hit back through substitute Derek Lyle late on but it was not enough to prevent them from slumping to their second successive top-flight reverse.

Inverness substitute Dougie Imrie claimed a late winner as injury-hit Falkirk crashed to a 2-1 defeat - their fourth straight loss in the SPL.

The Bairns looked on course for victory when Mark Stewart put them ahead after an hour.

But Don Cowie levelled eight minutes later before Imrie pounced to make it two away wins out of two for the Highlanders.

Caley are one of four teams on seven points alongside Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen after the Dons profited from sloppy defending to defeat St Mirren 1-0 at Love Street.

Billy Mehmet went from saint to sinner following his midweek hat-trick against Dumbarton when he missed two glorious chances as St Mirren dominated the opening half.

Centre-backs Will Haining and John Potter both slipped up to set up Darren Mackie to fire home two minutes before the break.

A John Sutton strike 12 minutes from time was enough to give Motherwell a 1-0 win over Hibernian in a tight encounter at Easter Road.

The former St Mirren marksman pounced on David Clarkson's pinpoint pass to turn and drive in a late winner for the UEFA Cup-bound side.

Neither team created many clear-cut opportunities during a dour match which only came to life in flashes and Hibs were left again to rue their failure to turn glimpses of the target into goals.