It was a battling performance from our young side at Tannadice on Sunday afternoon but in the end United proved to be too strong and inflicted our first away defeat since late March.

It was once again a young Cowden side with Kyle Miller being our oldest outfielder just a few weeks short of his 25th birthday. There was one change to the starting line up from the Buckie win with Harvey Swann coming in for the injured Whitaker.

The home side were comfortable in the opening stages without, creating too much chances before the deadlock was broken in 30 minutes.

King threaded the ball to former Central Parker Sam STANTON who slotted a low shot past McGurn.

Minutes later McInally clipped the top of the United crossbar but it remained 1-0 at the interval.

We forced to make a substitution at the break with Joe McGovern replacing the injured McGurn in goal and the first thing he had to do was pick the ball out of the net after the ball broke to Billy KING who chipped the ball over the young keeper.

Buchanan then saw a shot on the turn saved by Lewis as we looked to get back into the game.

In 67 minutes the home side went further ahead when Scott FRASER scored from the penalty spot after Robson had been fouled in the box by Pyper.

With 14 minutes to go we reduced the deficit when Cameron MUIRHEAD got on the end of a Rutherford cross to slot home a low shot.

However with four minutes later United restored their three goal advantage when McGovern parried a King shot and Matty SMITH was on hand to slot home the rebound.

TEAM: McGurn (McGovern 46), Pyper, Rutherford, Mullen, Rumsby, Syme, McInally (Morris 64), Buchanan, Muirhead (Connelly 83),Miller & Swann. Subs not used – Thomson, Ovenstone, Turnbull & Leslie.

Goal: Muirhead (76).

DUNDEE UNITED: Lewis, Scobbie, Toshney (Ballantyne 82), McMullan, Fraser (Chalmers 75), King, Stanton, Edjendueke, Robson, Briels (Alardice 68) & M Smith. Subs not used – Mehmet, Donaldson, B Smith & Thomas.

Goals: Stanton (30), King (46), Fraser (67), M Smith (80).