DUNDEE UNITED interim manager Liam Fox praised his players’ effort and commitment as they defeated Livingston to book a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final tie against Kilmarnock.

First-half goals from Steven Fletcher and Ian Harkes had United in the driving seat after a fraught few days, making Kurtis Guthrie’s second-half strike mere consolation.

The finger had been pointed at the United players for a lack of effort following the 9-0 defeat to Celtic on Sunday that cost manager Jack Ross his job.

Fox felt they had more than answered questions over their effort but felt that level of performance would need to be the benchmark for future performances.

He said: “I asked the players for a reaction off the back of a period of poor results, culminating in Jack losing his job.

“Their personal pride has been called into question and we needed a response. I think they answered that. 

“Where was that before? That’s a fair question. But all we can try to do as a staff and a group of players for as long as I’m here — that could be a day, a week, or longer, who knows? — is to repay some of those poor results and move forward. 

“The players have taken flak and I hope they are feeling better about themselves tonight. But it’s only a start. 

“It’s only one step on the way to hopefully getting back to where the club wants to, and needs to, be. This cannot just be a flash in the pan. That was the last thing I said to them in the dressing room.”

Pre-match pain was all relative. In any other week it would have been Livingston feeling the strain after their 5-0 thrashing by Aberdeen but that was a mere bump in the road compared to the recent malaise at United that saw Ross pay with his job after just seven games. The visitors, undoubtedly, were the team with more to prove as the game got underway.

United were noticeably more dynamic here than they had been against Celtic, getting stuck in from the first whistle to the obvious appreciation of the 500-strong travelling support who offered their verbal backing in response.

United hadn’t scored a goal from open play since Glenn Middleton’s winner in the first leg of the Europa Conference League tie against AZ Alkmaar – an occasion that now feels like a lifetime ago. They ended that sorry sequence after just 15 minutes here.

Jamie McGrath’s corner was met flush on the forehead by Ryan Edwards only for Shamal George to dive full length to make an incredible save. The goalkeeper, then, must have been wholly disheartened to then see the ball drop kindly for Fletcher who netted his second goal for the club from close range.

George again saved Livingston with a smart save from Fletcher but the goalkeeper would soon be beaten for a second time after 34 minutes. The former Scotland striker was the creator here, setting up Harkes to run in on goal.

The American had a decision to make as the bouncing ball sat up for him but George made it for him, the goalkeeper stumbling briefly as he came out to meet the United player but enough to make the lob the obvious option. Harkes executed it perfectly.

Livingston boss David Martindale rejigged his formation to a back three at the start of the second half and his team were finally able to get on the front foot, with Scott Pittman sending an early chance into the side netting.

Livingston were starting to dominate proceedings as United dropped ever deeper into their defensive shape and they got themselves a lifeline 12 minutes from time.

Nicky Devlin swung over a deep cross, Cristian Montano nodded it back across goal and debutant Kurtis Guthrie, not long on as a substitute, bundled in from close range.

This then became a real test of United’s nerve as they gave up on any notion of pushing for a third goal. Livingston had a “goal” chopped off for offside then thought they had won a penalty when Aziz Behich clipped Devlin. Referee David Munro, however, deemed it to be outside of the box and gave a free kick. Up stepped Sean Kelly whose sweet strike struck the outside of the post with the goalkeeper well beaten.

Five minutes of added time gave Livingston added hope but United held firm to record a much-needed victory and an away tie at Kilmarnock, leaving the home side to wonder about what might have been.

“I think the first half was diabolical,” said Martindale. “You cannot give teams two goals of a start and expect to win games. As individuals there has to be a want and desire. I thought they bullied us in the first half.”