In form, much was expected from the Edinburgh side but instead it took them to go one down to the Tangerines before we saw the real Hibs that had earned all the plaudits all season.
It was a poor opening half hour, but finally the game came alive. The Hibees' best chance to score came in the 35th minute when the impressive Scott Brown sped to the by-line and curled a cracker for Dean Shiels to catch the United back line asleep and amazingly volley the ball over from only five yards.
Next, the bustling Gary O'Connor latched on to a low inviting ball from Derek Riordan and agonisingly flicked the ball narrowly wide.
But then, chances came at the other end. Only a wonderful one-handed stop from the keeper stopped Mark Kerr's net bound shot and then Samuel glided his header over a couple of minutes later
The second period continued as the first with the Tangerines dominating possession but Hibs looking the more threatening when creating chances. Shiels wasted another good opportunity in the 55th minute when Steven Fletcher gave him a one-on-one opportunity with Stillie. Then Brown's strike was well parried by the keeper.
But it was the Terrors who struck gold first in the 61st minute with a thundering strike from Samuel. A long kick from Stillie was headed on by Lee Miller for the Trinidadian to outpace the two central defenders and ram the ball home from 12 yards.
With United renowned this season for surrendering leads quickly, Fletcher almost controversially equalised two minutes later when he hit the bar despite the assistant holding up his flag.
Stunned, Hibs upped the ante, attacking United with pace on both flank,s but despite defending deeper and deeper, the Tangerines fought like terriers to hold on to that valuable lead for a precious victory.