Dundee United appear poised to close the gap on third-placed Motherwell after establishing a 2-0 half-time lead at Tannadice Park tonight.

Ryan Dow and Gavin Gunning scored the goals for the Terrors, who were nine points behind Well in the Scottish Premiership prior to kickoff.

Having previously made 13 appearances this term, 22-year-old striker Dow opened his account for the season when he intercepted Shaun Hutchinson's short backpass to slot home on 20 minutes.

Iain Vigurs had two chances to equalise for the visitors, and would have had it not been for a point-blank save from United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak following John Sutton's clever knockdown.

Gunning followed Dow in finding the net for the first time this campaign by tapping in from close range following Motherwell's failure to clear a 41st-minute corner which fell to Nadir Ciftci.