By Sean saranczuk
December 31 2003

A disputed penalty that was converted in style by Jim McIntyre eight minutes from time confirmed Dundee United's 2-0 victory at Kilmarnock.
The home side, who had been trailing to Billy Dodds' first-half opener, were convinced Steve Fulton had been harshly punished by referee Kevin Toner for a challenge on substitute Jason Scotland.

It was only United's second victory over Killie in the last 22 meetings but a second successive home loss for the Ayrshire side, who had dominated the second-half but failed to find the net.

A sparse crowd witnessed a lethargic start from the home side, who had been boosted by news that Peter Canero and Stephen Murray had been able to play.

United enjoyed the better of some inconsequential early exchanges until Dodds broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.

The former Rangers man had been operating as an attacking midfielder behind McIntyre and former Killie favourite Andy McLaren, and lost his marker once Barry Robson had flighted a free-kick into the box.

Freddie Dindeleux had made an attempt to head it away but, when he could get only the slightest of touches, the ball quickly found its way to Dodds at the far post and he rifled a low drive past Francois Dubourdeau.

Killie were left scrabbling for scraps before the break and, when Colin Nish saw his header hit the arm of David McCracken in the United box, he was distraught as referee Toner had ruled the contact accidental.

Nish was replaced by Kris Boyd in the 65th minute as the home side sought an alternative route for that elusive equaliser, with the balance of the game having shifted firmly their way if not the scoreline.

A swift counter-attack saw United wrap up the game with nine minutes remaining, albeit in controversial style.

A rare counter attack had seen Scotland go down in the box under a challenge by Fulton and, although referee Toner was some distance behind the play, he quickly pointed to the spot.

Up stepped McIntyre and made sure of the points with a cheeky chipped effort that fooled Dubourdeau and ended up just under the crossbar.