United pushed strongly for the opener, an inviting ball from Christian Kalvenes was headed down by Barry Robson for Noel Hunt to acrobatically volley narrowly wide.
And three minutes later, the Irishman returned the favour, setting up Robson but his shot was well held by Graeme Smith.
The wind blew hard and so did Jim Jefferies' cheeks as the Killie boss tried to lift his troops as they looked a pale shadow of the team who had been playing so well this season.
The visitors' best chance came in the 53rd minute when only a last-gasp save from Derek Stillie minute spared David McCracken's blushes. His slice fell to Danny Invincibile, but the Aussie was denied by the keeper.
Sub Collin Samuel made a nuisance of himself after coming on but wasted two chances to break the deadlock for United.
It was no surprise therefore that the Terrors blasted that all important goal in the 71st minute and it was a cracker. Mark Kerr slid the ball to Samuel for the Trinidadian to hare down the wing and cross and Hunt connected with a thunderous 15-yard half volley.