United named an unchanged side from the one that saw off St Francis Rangers in midweek, and dominated the early stages against their opponents who were yet to win a league fixture prior to the contest, with United’s main threat coming from set pieces.
Dom Clarke headed over inside two minutes of the start, before Ryan Cooper saw an effort cleared off the line four minutes later. Clarke saw a thunderous header rattle the crossbar following a third early corner before Wick broke as Andy Chick forced Callum Christie into a smart save from 12 yards out.
Aaron Capon then saw an effort across goal flash wide, just eluding the outstretched lunge of Liam Baitup in the process before a fifth corner in the opening twenty minutes went astray with Clarke heading wide with the home ‘keeper stranded.
Capon and Baitup combined again with half an hour played, with the former surging forward after winning the ball in midfield and squaring to Baitup, who saw his low effort gathered by Wick ‘keeper Billy Nash.
With 36 minutes played and somewhat against the run of play, United were punished for their poor finishing as Matt Noble was allowed too much time and space in the 18 yard box to slide an effort past Christie.
Immediately following the goal, United continued where they had previously left off as another corner went by the wayside, with Ryan Cooper this time the man to head wide.
Further chances fell to Clarke and Capon as the first half drew to its conclusion but neither was able to force Nash into a telling save.
A direct run from Capon was halted on the edge of the area at the start of the second half, with Baitup pouncing on the loose ball but his left footed effort went the wrong side of the Wick post.
On 51 minutes, United found themselves two goals down as the defence didn’t clear their lines which allowed Noble to double his tally for the afternoon as he confidently eased the ball past Christie.
Baitup saw another effort saved by Nash, with the rebound just out of reach of Clarke with the goal gaping before Baitup headed wide of the post rolling a whipped cross from Capon.
Christie was forced into an acrobatic stop to deny Joe Matthews from 25 yards, with the United stopped doing well to push the powerful effort over the crossbar.
From the resulting corner, Wick made it three as a whipped corner was headed goalbound at the near post by Andy Chick to leave United stunned and staring down the barrel.
It could have been four soon after, but Christie once again saved well to thwart Noble’s attempts at a hat-trick.
United lost Liam Painter with 15 minutes to play as he left the pitch with his arm in a sling following a heavy fall, with Toby Clifford his replacement.
With time running out and chances now at a premium, United were handed a lifeline as Clifford was brought down in the area which handed Baitup the chance to claw a goal back from the penalty spot.
Baitup duly obliged as he sent the ‘keeper the wrong way for his eighth goal of the season, but it was too little too late as United were made to rue a hatful of missed opportunities as a clinical Wick side claimed their first points of the season