Another night and another occasion when Livingston failed to add to their tally of two wins this season.
The Lions certainly took the game to United at eerily empty Tannadice, and the men from The Home of the Set Fare had several real chances to break the deadlock, with Cristian Montano having several, but their lack of that killer touch meant they came away with just a point in a no-score draw.
Scott Arfield, the club’s interim head coach, was once again in the dugout and he saw a determined display from his already-relegated side. They had their chances.
Stevie May hit the far post with a left-foot drive after a superb ball from Emmanuel Danso, a player Livingston fans have seen little of this term.
That was a major let off for the home side and then May tested Dave Richards in the United goal with a rasping shot after an interchange with Macaulay Tait.
Brooklyn Kabongolo then had a shot which flashed inches wide, but United were not out of the game and they had chances. From a breakaway Neil Farrugia forced a last-gasp save from Jerome Prior after a sweeping move from inside their own half.
Montano responded by sending the ball into the net. A May corner on the left was headed on by Daniel Finlayson and Montano nodded home at the far post. After a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Minutes later it was United who broke and Will Ferry fed Johnny Russell who headed wide, but back came the West Lothian men. Lewis Smith drove to the by line and cut the ball back. Danso’s neat footwork put him in a fine position but he hit his left foot shot over the bar.
Then Montano had two chances smothered by the desperate United defence, the ball eventually falling to Robbie Muirhead. His fierce shot hit the back of a Dundee United defender and was defected over. The frustration showed on the faces of the Livingston men.
And they could have been behind seconds later when Jim Goodwin’s men broke on a four-on-two but they fluffed the chance.
The second-half United almost had the perfect start for the home side when Zac Sapsford headed towards goal, but Kabongolo deflected over for a corner.
Livingston hit back through a driving run from May who fired just wide then Montano had another chance in the six-yard box but Richards got down low to spread himself and divert the ball.
Smith remained a real danger man with his darting runs and he set up an opportunity which was cleared. Montano was again in the danger area and had another opportunity blocked before Danso became the second player shown a yellow card. Team-mate Cammy Kerr was the first in the opening session.
Glen Kamara followed Danso into the book for a trip on Smith before United boss Goodwin made three changes including Craig Sibbald making his 135th and final appearance for the Tannadice team.
The black shirts of Livingston continued to press but United broke and Owen Stirton tested Prior before United won a corner on the left. The ball flashed across the goal without anybody taking advantage.
Goodwin shuffled his pack again as Scott Pittman received treatment in the Livi penalty area following a clash attempting to clear the corner and the medical team signalled it was the end of the night for the player. Barrie McKay took over.
Stirton then had a chance but Prior stood firm at the near post then Ferry fired in a cross which Kabongolo cleared. United were in the ascendancy and Kabongolo made a crunching tackle on Julius Eskesen and received a booking for his trouble.
Livingston then rolled the dice with a treble change, Joshua Zimmerman, Aidan Denholm and Babacar Fati coming on, but it was the home side who were on top with Livingston chasing. Denholm bravely headed the ball away from another United attack, then Livingston had a chance to break the deadlock.
Zimmerman held the ball in the box before being challenged and the referee pointed to the spot. VAR intervened and the an on-field review by referee Grant Irving was recommended. No penalty and Zimmerman was cautioned for simulation.
Sam Culbert came on to replace lively Smith for Livingston as the clock ticked down and United pressed again, but Stirton’s header was gathered by Prior.
Four minutes were added at the end of regulation time and Livingston had a real scare before earning a corner off central defender Ross Graham, their first of the second session, but it was cleared and United won a free-kick 35 yards out but, once again, the ball was sent out of the danger zone.
United’s last home game of the season finished in a draw and both sides were left to rue missed chances, Livingston in particular, especially in the first half.
SUBSTITUTE APPEARANCE: Aidan Denholm given valuable minutes at Tannadice for Livingston. Picture Nigel Duncan
