Hartson maintained his record of scoring in every game he has started against United.

And the striker had the United defence in more trouble in the 20th minute when he burst into the box, but Lauchlan needed to intervene to put the ball behind for a corner.

But Robert Douglas denied the home side an equaliser in the 29th minute when Lauchlan rose to head Miller’s cross, but the Celtic star moved swiftly to his right to turn the ball around the post.

It was United’s turn to survive eight minutes later – this time a definite penalty – when Mark Wilson clipped the heels of Larsson in the box, but John Underhill waved away the protests.

The Swede was awarded a free-kick in the 40th minute when he was tripped by the same player and it took a great diving save from Gallacher down his left to keep his side in the game.