Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Livingston celebrate Scott Robinson's opening goal

Ryan Hardie's dramatic last-minute winner saw second-placed Livingston move six points clear of Dundee United in the Scottish Championship.

Scott Robinson's superb finish put David Hopkin's side in front after 22 minutes, and Hardie had a header disallowed for offside.

United, who have now lost three in a row, levelled with 16 minutes left via substitute Matt Smith's smart finish.

But Hardie fired in the winner with a sumptuous strike from 20 yards.

It took Livingston within eight points of Championship leaders St Mirren, and in pole position to at least secure a place in the play-offs.

Spurred on after their convincing win last weekend against league leaders St Mirren, the home side began with great pace, January recruit Hardie warming the palms of United keeper Harry Lewis after just two minutes.

Another transfer window signing Lee Miller then set up Hardie but again he was foiled by the Tannadice stopper.

The visitors slowly found their way into the game and Emil Lang tried his luck from distance, experienced Livingston keeper Neil Alexander parrying the ball away with Billy King unable to control the rebound.

The home side took a deserved lead when the United defence failed to clear a ball played into the box.

Robinson collected around 16 yards out and curled a wonderful right-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Hardie thought he had doubled the advantage for the West Lothian side before the break when he headed home a Nicky Cadden cross, but the flag was raised for offside.

Matt Smith's equaliser ultimately proved to no avail for United

United were forced into a change when Lang suffered an ankle knock, Thomas Mikkelsen coming on as a replacement.

Manager Csaba Laszlo made a further switch at the break with Smith coming on for the ineffective Grant Gillespie.

During their best spell the visitors drew level, Smith firing in from close range.

And former Hearts keeper Alexander pulled off a magnificent stop from Stewart Murdoch to deny United a winner with four minutes left.

Referee Craig Thomson enraged the visiting fans when he refused to award United a penalty and their mood soured even further in the final minute.

Hardie picked up a flick-on from a goal-kick and smacked in a right-foot shot inside the left-hand post to maintain Livingston's surge towards the play-offs.