Dundee United 3-2 Livingston: Zac Sapsford's late penalty earns hosts dramatic Scottish Premiership win
Match report as Dundee United secured a late win against Livingston; Zac Sapsford scored a penalty to seal all three points for the hosts; Livingston came from behind to lead, but were pegged back by Krisztian Keresztes; Livi remain bottom of the Scottish Premiership
Saturday 11 April 2026 21:07, UK
Zac Sapsford’s late penalty secured Dundee United a dramatic 3-2 win over Livingston in a thriller at Tannadice.
The hosts took the lead in the first half through Will Ferry but Livi hit back after the break with a quickfire Lewis Smith double.
However, the Terrors equalised thanks to substitute Krisztian Keresztes, with Sapsford grabbing all three points for the hosts from the penalty spot deep into added time.
The result leaves United sitting seventh in the Premiership with Livi still rock bottom.
The hosts made four changes to the starting line-up that lost to Rangers last week, with keeper Dave Richards, Sam Cleall-Harding, Ryan Strain and Sapsford coming in for Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Keresztes, Luca Stephenson and Neil Farrugia.
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The visitors kept faith with the same 11 who drew with Hearts at home last Sunday.
Livingston were the first to threaten in the fourth minute when the ball broke to Babacar Fati on the edge of the United box but his low shot flew just wide.
United suffered a big blow seven minutes later when star man Amar Fatah pulled up with a hamstring injury, with the on-loan Troyes winger having to be helped off before being replaced by Farrugia.
However, it was the Terrors who took the lead in the 19th minute. Max Watters headed the ball onto Ferry who cut in from the left and hit a low right-footed shot past Lions keeper Jerome Prior.
However, it was the Lions who finished the half strongly.
Former Dundee full-back Cammy Kerr sent a long throw in from the left with Richards having to make a smart reflex save to turn a Joel Nouble flick around his post.
Stevie May delivered the subsequent corner into the box with Danny Finlayson beating Richards to the ball but his header flew over.
United's slender lead only lasted four minutes into the second half. Nouble robbed Iurie Iovu and then advanced into the box before squaring the ball to Smith who fired into the back of the net.
The small band of travelling supporters were celebrating once more in the 53rd minute as Livingston scored again. Smith fastened onto a long punt from Prior and cut inside home skipper Ross Graham before dispatching a clinical low strike past Richards.
However, the Terrors equalised in the 75th minute. Ferry delivered a pinpoint corner from the left to substitute Keresztes, who sent a powerful header past Prior.
As the clock ticked down, it looked like both sides would have to settle for a draw but Livi conceded a penalty in added time when Brooklyn Kabongolo went through the back of Sapsford, with the striker picking himself up to send Prior the wrong way to seal the victory.
What the managers said
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin: "I thought we stole the points in the end, if I'm being perfectly honest.
"We certainly got out of jail. It wasn't the most entertaining of games, albeit there were five goals within it.
"But I'm pleased for the supporters to go up the road having watched their team win."
Livingston boss Marvin Bartley: "I am massive on you deserve what you get in football and a couple of the goals were inexcusable.
"Their second goal, from a set play, and then the third one is a really, really poor decision and one you can't make in the box at that minute of the game. But we made it and unfortunately we're then punished.
"It was a penalty, he kicked the man and not the ball. I've seen it once, it's a penalty.
"Does it sum up why we're in this position? Yes, because it's small moments. When the season ends you are where you deserve to be, people talk about bad luck, good luck and all those things.
"But I am a believer in you create your own luck in football and in life as well, so when you make the mistakes we made today that's not going to happen.
"If you concede three goals away from home you're not going to win games."
