Two goals in added time meant defeat for Hibs who left Tannadice bottom of the league.
David Gray made two changes to the starting XI that lost to Motherwell two weeks ago with Joe Newell returning as captain after recovering from injury and youngster Rudi Molotnikov regaining his place in midfield.
The back four remained unchanged, with Lewis Miller, Marvin Ekpiteta, Warren O’Hora and Jordan Obita starting in front of Joe Bursik in goal.
Kwon partnered Newell in the middle of the pitch, with Junior Hoilett and Chris Cadden on either flank.
Mykolo Kuharevich started up front with Elie Youan, Josh Campbell, Dylan Levitt, Harry McKirdy and Dwight Gayle all named among the substitutes.
Martin Boyle has also recovered from a wrist injury and was fit enough to make the bench.
Nectar Triantis missed the game through suspension, whilst Nicky Cadden and Kieron Bowie were unavailable due to injury.
On ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ day a minute’s applause was held prior to kick off in memory of former Hibs star Peter Cormack.
Hibs wore their all-white away kit for the fixture and a sizeable crowd was inside Tannadice at kick off.
Hibs first chance came from a well worked corner from Hoilett which found O’Hora who cut the ball back to Molotnikov near the penalty spot but his effort went wide.
Newell was then shown a harsh yellow card for a mistimed challenge as the visitors dominated possession without creating any clear-cut chances.
But it was the home side that took the lead midway through the first half when former Hibs player Glenn Middleton outpaced Lewis Miller and blasted a low cross which Sam Dalby got a toe to ahead of O’Hora.
After a lengthy VAR check the goal was given.
Hibs went close to an equaliser when Newell’s free-kick was nodded towards goal by O’Hora but his header is tipped over the bar by Jack Walton.
At the other end Middleton’s pace down the left wing continued to cause Hibs problems.
Newell then went close with a half-volley from 25-yards as Gray’s men fought to get back on level terms.
Miller required treatment for a head knock after colliding with an advertising board behind the goal, but the Australian international was able to carry on.
Bursik was shown a yellow card for dissent following a disputed corner awarded by the referee.
Hibs finally managed a deserved equaliser just before the break when Newell free-kick found Miller who headed across the six-yard box and O’Hora powered in his header to the delight of the large travelling support.
Five additional minutes were awarded and Molotnikov fired over the bar from the edge of the area.
Boyle replaced Miller for the second-half with Cadden dropping back to right back.
United thought they had regained the lead two minutes after the restart when once again Middleton set up Dalby with a fine cross but after another lengthy VAR check the ‘goal’ was rightly ruled out for offside.
Cadden picked up an injury in the build up and was replaced by Jack Iredale for his debut.
Hibs continued to press forward and Hoilett fired a dangerous ball across goal but no-one was there to take advantage then moments later, Kwon let fly from distance and Walton tipped it over the bar.
In the 63rd minute Gayle replaced Molotnikov and within seven minutes he scored his first goal for the club with a close range header from Obita’s cross.
With six minutes remaining Newell was harshly shown a second yellow card following a challenge where he clearly connected with the ball.
Gray then made a double substitution with Hoilett and Kuharevich making way for Campbell and Levitt.
The officials announced eight minutes of added time to groans from the Hibs fans.
And their fears were more than justified.
Within a couple of minutes Kristijan Trapanovski burst down the left before squaring.
Bursik punch dropped to Luca Stephenson, who blasted in from a few yards out.
And things got worse in the 89th minute.
A cross into the box was again punched by Bursik, and landed at the feet of substitute Meshack Obuchioma who lobbed the ball into the net off the underside of the bar sparking a mini pitch invasion from the jubilant home supporters.
Dundee United: Walton, Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry, Thomson, Dalby, Middleton.
Substitutes: Richards, Trapanovski, Odada, Fotheringham, Van der Sande, Stirton, Domeracki, Obuchioma.
Hibs: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Obita, Kwon, Newell, Cadden, Molotnikov, Hoilett, Kuharevich.
Substitutes: Smith, Levitt, Youan, Boyle, Iredale, McKirdy, Campbell, Bushiri, Gayle.
Attendance 10,870
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
