Kilmarnock's Simon Ford (right) was stretchered off with a head injury

Peter Houston's first game as Dundee United caretaker manager ended in disappointment as his side were held to a draw at home to Kilmarnock.

United dominated the first half at Tannadice only for Jon Daly - twice - and David Goodwillie to squander chances from close-range.

Sean Dillon also hit the bar and Damian Casalinuovo also missed a chance.

Killie twice saw goals chalked off as they gained a valuable point in their battle against relegation.

The goalless draw meant that United, who started the day fourth in the Scottish Premier League, had failed to score for the third game in a row.

Houston made one change in his first game as caretaker after the departure of Craig Levein to become Scotland coach.

Darren Dods was left out of central defence, being replaced with Mihael Kovacevic, who had been dropped from the side that failed to take the field at Hamilton last weekend after the match was called off 15 minutes before kick-off.

Dundee United's Sean Dillon was also injured in the collision with Ford

Manuel Pascali was given his first outing for more than a month for Kilmarnock, while Gavin Skelton and Ryan O'Leary were recalled following last week's disappointing home defeat by Falkirk.

Danny Invincibile was close to connecting with a wicked cross from Kilmarnock captain Kevin Kyle inside the opening minute before Goodwillie somehow failed to convert an even better ball from Craig Conway at the other end.

Conway's corner was then headed over by an under-pressure Garry Kenneth, who also had another effort from a Paul Dixon free-kick cleared by James Fowler.

Craig Bryson hit an audacious 30-yard volley that flashed wide as Killie went close to breaking the deadlock.

Kilmarnock lost defender Ford, to be replaced with Jamie Hamill, after a sickening clash of heads that also left United's Dillon needing treatment.

That drama aside, the game was proving something of a Boxing Day disappointment, though United were largely on top.

The home side should have scored just past the half-hour when Daly's header from Dixon's corner gave Skelton the chance to clear off the line.

Dillon was then desperately unlucky when his dipping 25-yard drive clattered off the crossbar before a real howler from Daly - the striker failing to stab Jennison Myrie-Williams' first-time lay-off into an empty net.

Killie twice went close to making United pay for those misses, Invincibile failing to control the ball when all alone in the box before Mark Burchill had a goal chalked off for a foul on Nicky Weaver.

United lost their way after the break and Kilmarnock looked the more likely without creating many chances.

Killie had the ball in the net for a second time in the 67th minute, when Kyle nodded home, but the offside flag had already been raised.

The home side finally got a shot on target, but Danny Cadamarteri's angled effort was straight at Mark Brown, who also saved from Casalinuovo soon after.

At the other end, Kyle sent a shot wide on the turn before Killie brought on David Fernandez for Burchill.

Casalinuovo, who scored twice at Rugby Park last month, wasted a glorious chance seven minutes from time when he shot right at Brown from 10 yards.

Then, in stoppage time, the Argentine striker sent in an overhead kick that the goalkeeper turned round the post.

Dundee United caretaker boss Peter Houston:
"It was tough game, but I thought we created the better chances in the first half.

"Killie are always a threat with Kevin Kyle up front, and they put big boys in the middle of the park to stop us playing.

"We needed to get the ball out to our wider players a bit quicker.

"But I've no complaints. The boys put in tremendous effort in and perhaps we just need to show a bit more quality."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies:
"We are disappointed we did not get a goal as Mark Burchill is adamant that the goalkeeper did not have it under control, so we are aggrieved that we did not get a goal.

"Dundee United have a good delivery and are very dangerous at set plays as they have some big targets, but we did fantastically well.

"We showed real spirit and determination to get a result and that's what we need.

"Simon Ford has a real bad one. His eye is closed and he is a big doubt for Wednesday's game."

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