Grant Gillespie scored his first top-flight goal to move Hamilton towards Scottish Premiership safety with a 3-1 victory over a doomed-looking Dundee United.

Gillespie struck from 20 yards as Hamilton dominated the first half at Tannadice and Carlton Morris scored twice on the rebound after the break.

United did not get going until the second period and thousands of fans had already left when Simon Murray netted a mere consolation in the 89th minute.

They remain eight points adrift of safety with four games left and it was the manner of their defeat that led to United fans gathering outside Tannadice in protest after the final whistle.

Mixu Paatelainen's side cannot now catch Hamilton, who moved seven points ahead of second-bottom Kilmarnock and gave themselves the chance to banish all thoughts of a relegation play-off when they host the Ayrshire side next Saturday.

Kilmarnock's early defeat at Inverness should have given both sides a lift but only Hamilton looked inspired, and they were first to the ball in the opening stages, pegging United back.

Dougie Imrie forced an early stop from Eiji Kawashima but the Japanese goalkeeper was beaten by Gillespie on 12 minutes - his vicious first-time strike bouncing in off the near post.

United offered absolutely nothing as an attacking force before half-time, with Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern's main tasks being to clutch a handful of poorly-delivered corners.

Paatelainen brought on Edward Ofere to beef up his attack but Tagliapietra had the first chance of the half, shooting straight at Kawashima after a good turn.

United created their first chance when Paul Dixon forced his way down the left wing and crossed for Billy McKay, who headed off the post.

But Accies soon went further ahead when Imrie was released down the right wing and his cross was looped on to the top of the bar by the head of Greg Docherty. The rebound fell to Morris, who had time and space to head into an empty net.

Morris netted again in the 73rd minute after out-muscling Demel to latch on to a long ball and United's consolation came out of the blue as Murray lofted the ball over McGovern from 12 yards.