Dundee United moved up to fifth in the Scottish Premiership with a comfortable win over struggling Kilmarnock at Tannadice.

Marc McNulty and Lawrence Shankland both put an end to recent goal droughts in the first half.

Kilmarnock had a brief flurry but rarely looked like scoring for just the second time in eight league games.

And the result heaps pressure on Kilmarnock boss Alex Dyer, with no goals or points now in their last four.

It is just Dundee United's fourth win in 15 games, yet amid that run they have only lost two of their last nine games as they leapfrogged Motherwell in the table.

Like their visitors, United did not have their troubles to seek in front of goal. Only two Premiership teams had scored fewer, McNulty had yet to break his duck, and Shankland had not netted since September.

But after Greg Kiltie sent a Chris Burke cross wide from close range for Kilmarnock, McNulty and Shankland both scored in quick succession.

McNulty breezed past Kirk Broadfoot and picked a spot in the bottom far corner. Then Luke Bolton found Shankland in the box and he got the ball out from under his feet quickly and knocked it past the goalkeeper from close range.

Kilmarnock had half-hearted efforts from Burke and Calum Waters, but by half-time they had now gone three and a half games without a goal.

Furthermore, they had shown little evidence they could turn around the deficit, especially against a United side whose goals against tally was only bettered by the top four.

Kilmarnock did begin the second half in encouraging fashion. Broadfoot fired an effort over then Waters sent a header past the far post.

And their recent form was summed up by Nicke Kabamba missing a cross inside the box, then Burke slicing his effort when it fell his way.

United should really have wrapped it up when Shankland tried to be clever and flick the ball into the net from close range, but hit the ball off his own foot, and when Nicky Clark drove into the box but shot straight at goalkeeper Danny Rogers.

Man of the match - Marc McNulty

What did we learn?

The hallmark of United this season has been a defensive stability. What they needed was to add goals, and manager Micky Mellon would be pleased to see his front two both hit the net.

Kilmarnock at times looked improved on their recent performances, but lacked any real cutting edge in the final third, while their defending at the two first half goals left them an uphill battle.

What did they say?

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon: "We felt more confident we could put more players forward while still retaining that defensive organisation.

"Marc McNulty does a power of work but he's better through the middle and Lawrence Shankland is better with someone playing off him."

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer: "We made a lot of errors at the back which we're getting punished for at his present time.

"Had we started off and got the first goal then it would be a different game. But it's not falling for us at the moment. I told them we've got to keep going and sticking together and hopefully it will change."

What's next?

On Boxing Day, Dundee United could move five points clear of sixth-place Motherwell when they host the Lanarkshire men (15:00 GMT). Kilmarnock are at home to Livingston (15:00 GMT) who are now four points clear of them in the Premiership.