Colin Nish's brace proved the difference between the sides

Hibernian sealed a European qualification spot thanks to a Colin Nish double that livened up an otherwise quiet encounter at Tannadice.

The visitors started brightly and Nish broke the deadlock, flicking the ball under the body of Dusan Pernis.

United struggled to make an impact with Garry Kenneth's cleared header the closest they came to a goal.

With the game drifting towards full-time, Nish beat Garry Kenneth to the ball and headed in his second.

United manager Peter Houston clearly had one eye on next week's Scottish Cup final as he made six changes to his side.

Pernis replaced Steve Banks in goal and Jennison Myrie-Williams, Pavels Mihadjuks, Andis Shala, Damian Casalinuovo and Kevin Smith also starting.

Andy Webster and Prince Buaben were rested, with Jon Daly, Craig Conway, David Goodwillie and Scott Robertson on the bench.

Hibs made one change despite losing six goals in the record-scoring midweek match against Motherwell, defender Sol Bamba aiming to impress in place of Paul Hanlon after false rumours circulated ahead of the match that Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson would be in attendance.

Prolific Hibernian striker Anthony Stokes had the first opportunity of the match, but shot straight at Pernis following a mistake from centre-half Garry Kenneth.

Strike partner Nish went one better soon after, deflecting the ball under Pernis following a one-two between Liam Miller and David Wotherspoon.

United were taking time to settle into the game, but Kenneth almost made amends for the goal, powerfully heading Danny Swanson's corner towards the net, but Wotherspoon was alert at the back post to clear the ball off the line.

The recalled Bamba brought come stability to the Hibs back line as the visiting midfield saw a lot of the ball in the opening half.

Pernis saved low from Stokes after Nish fed the striker through, the former Dunfermline man dispossessing Pavels Mihadjuks in midfield.

The game had gone flat, but David Robertson carved out a rare chance for United when he spotted Damian Casalinuovo's forward run, but the Argentine couldn't keep his header on target however.

Out of nowhere, John Rankin blasted in a snapshot from the edge of the area, but the drive cannoned back off the base of the post with Pernis beaten.

Andis Shala passed up an opportunity for the home side, heading straight at Graeme Smith after beating Steven Thicot to the ball.

Derek Riordan tried a long-range effort, but Pernis was equal to the shot from the former Celtic man.

With the game seemingly petering out, Nish stooped to head home his second goal of the match after beating Kenneth to Thicot's cross.

Europe was guaranteed for the visitors, but United boss Peter Houston would be disappointed that none of his fringe players had given him any selection headaches for the upcoming cup final.

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