It was man-of-the-match David Fernandez who returned to haunt his old side with a tremendous display, scoring one and making the other that gave United a kick-start to the season.
It was a game in which the hosts dominated throughout, and really the margin should have been far greater against the struggling Livingston side, who look like they will be fighting relegation at the end of the season.
United started sprightly with Fernandez flicking over the bar and Roddy McKenzie superbly blocking Peter Canero's quick-thinking strike seven minutes later. Then McKenzie frustrated Mark Wilson's excellent 20-yard drive in the 27th minute.
Eventually the pressure was rewarded in the 34th minute, and it was fitting that it should be the excellent Spaniard with another glancing header from Barry Robson's corner which Derk Adams could not prevent from hitting the net.
After an appalling first half, it took the visitors 52 minutes before they had their first attempt at Derk Stillie's goal, but Neil Barrett's hopeful shot was well wide.
United came closer minutes later when Mark Kerr's delicate chip hit the out side of the post.
The pressure and frustration continued to build when Robson cut inside in the 67th minute and hit the inside of the post with a low 12 yard drive.
It looked like United would increase their lead with Fernandez threatening at every sight of goal. He then set up the chance for Canero to coolly slot home his debut goal from 10 yards.