With their poor away record this season, Killie know their maintaining their good home form is absolutely vital to retaining their Premiership status.
This was their fifth victory in seven games at Rugby Park under Neil McCann and a vital win in the basement battle.
There was an energy and purpose to Kilmarnock and while the final ball or decision in attack let them down at points, they were good value for the win.
Curtis coped admirably in an unfamiliar right-back role in the first half but showed what he can do further up the pitch with a magnificent goal. With Scotland boss Steve Clarke watching on from the stands, it was a good time to produce a moment of quality.
United’s 10-year wait for a league win at Rugby Park goes on. Manager Jim Goodwin spoke before the game about his side, despite having little to play for, matching the desire and intensity of a Killie team scrapping for survival.
That largely failed to materialise in the first half as Killie were first to most of the second balls and United were guilty of being sloppy in possession.
They did fashion a number of decent chances with Will Ferry, the Premiership’s player of the month for April, looking especially lively early on, but United also had Richards to thank for some good saves at the other end.
Goodwin will be keen to rouse his players for the final few games, starting with a trip to Aberdeen next weekend, and ensure the season does not merely fizzle out.
