A Damian Casalinuovo double gave Dundee United a 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Rugby Park.

The Argentinean striker put the Taysiders ahead from the spot in the 21st minute after Killie left-back Garry Hay had tripped United midfielder Jennison Myrie-Williams inside the box.

In a game which saw good performances from both goalkeepers, and several missed chances, Casalinuovo was handed his second goal on a plate in the 57th minute when he was set up by Myrie-Williams.

The home side were slightly more forceful in the early stages and United keeper Nicky Weaver produced a good block from Jamie Hamill's angled drive in the 10th minute then foiled Kevin Kyle's volley from a similar position after the Tannadice side's offside trap had let them down.

But, in the 21st minute, United took the lead after they were awarded a spot-kick when Hay, back in the side after missing the defeat by Celtic last week, tripped Myrie-Williams inside the box and Casalinuovo stroked his penalty past Rugby Park keeper Mark Brown.

Kilmarnock tried to battle back but, to the frustration of the home supporters, they were continually thwarted by the offside flag.

However, in the 37th minute it was United midfielder Morgaro Gomis who drew a fine save from Brown with a 25-yard drive, the Killie keeper diving to his left to turn the ball round the post.

At the other end, moments after Killie had defended the corner, Weaver dealt well with a Gavin Skelton volley that had power but was aimed too close to the keeper, who then made a brilliant point-blank save from Kyle's 12-yard volley two minutes from the interval.

Some hesitancy in the Killie box in the 52nd minute gave Casalinuovo the chance to double his tally but Brown turned the angled drive from 10 yards past the post and the home side survived the corner.

In the 57th minute, though, Casalinuovo sealed the points for the visitors when he grabbed his second. David Goodwillie's first-time pass sent Myrie-Williams racing into the Kilmarnock box and, when he drew Brown and slipped the ball across the six-yard box, the big striker had the easiest of tasks in knocking the ball into the empty net.