Jefferies has seen his Kilmarnock team slump this season

"United are a team with confidence but ours is affected and that was obvious with some of our play today," he said.

"Dundee United were more determined than us for at least an hour and we're trying to play our way out of trouble.

"We did get back into the game but it was too little too late for us and I felt that we made too many mistakes."

Interview: Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

Killie now face a tricky Scottish Cup tie against Airdrie United, as they seek to breathe some life into a dismal season.

"We now have to try and battle our way up the table - if we don't try to do the right things life is going to get a lot more difficult for us," added Jefferies.