League leaders Dundee United were handed a 2-0 defeat by a spirited Kilmarnock side at Rugby Park this evening.

The home side could have been ahead as early as the sixth minute when Chris Chantler found some space and swung in a cross, but Josh Magennis's header was acrobatically saved by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

Allan Johnston's team were on top for much of the first half, and Magennis spurned another chance to give Kilmarnock the lead seven minutes before the break.

Alexei Eremenko's long ball sent Magennis through on goal, and as Cierzniak rushed off his line the striker sent a delicate lob onto the top of the bar.

Kilmarnock took the lead through Temitope Ayoluwa Obadeyi on 62 minutes after the forward collected Eremenko's cross and fired beyond Cierzniak.

Two minutes later they doubled their advantage when defender Mark Connolly powerfully headed Eremenko's corner home.

Despite the defeat Dundee United remain top of the Scottish Premiership, although Hamilton can usurp them with victory over Celtic on Sunday.