Rovers lost their final pre-season game 2-0 to Dundee United, but the match was overshadowed by injuries to key personnel.
Centre half stalwarts Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba both limped out of the match at Tannadice which will be of major concern for manager Sam Allardyce ahead of the start of the Barclays Premier League next Saturday.
Nelsen pulled up after just a quarter hour, whilst his defensive partner Samba only lasted thirty minutes. Paul Gallagher was also an early departure in a game to forget for Rovers.
It was an afternoon to forget for Ryan Nelsen's replacement Zurab Khizanishvili who had a hand in both of United's goals.
His error allowed Andis Shala to score from close-range on 27 minutes, then on 71 he diverted a Buaben cross into the back of his own net.
Paul Robinson had earlier saved a penalty from David Goodwillie, but Rovers rarely created any clear cut openings for themselves in a disappointing display.
With the majority of his first team squad set to head off on international duty next week, Sam Allardyce put out much changed starting eleven, giving a first senior start for 17-year-old Phil Jones at right back.
Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba formed the central defensive partnership, but both of those players limped off early on, Nelsen shortly after conceding a penalty which Dundee United saw brilliantly saved by Robinson, then Samba also left the field on the half hour, meaning a back four of Jones, Khizanishvili, Warnock and Olsson.
Paul Gallagher was another early departure, the Scottish international limping to the sidelines to be replaced by Aaron Doran.
With so many changes to the starting eleven, Rovers really struggled to impose themselves against a bright Dundee United side.
There was little in the way of goalmouth action until the quarter hour when the home side were suddenly awarded a penalty.
Little seemed on for United until Ryan Nelsen brought David Goodwillie crashing to the turf with a clumsy tackle from behind. But his blushes were spared by Paul Robinson who dived full length to his left to save Goodwillie's spot kick.
Nelsen soon departed to be replaced by Zurab Khizanishvili and it was the Georgian's error that lead to Dundee United opening the scoring on 27 minutes.
Prince Buaben crossed from the right but Khizanishvili allowed the ball to run across the area straight into the path of Andis Shala who easily converted from six yards out.
Franco Di Santo had Rovers' only meaningful effort at goal in the first half, latching onto Warnock's through ball, the young striker burst through on goal but put his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Jason Brown replaced Paul Robinson at the break and he was quickly in the action when United substitute Johnny Russell ran onto Robertson's flick, Brown narrowed the angle and Russell fired wide.
Aaron Doran saw a well-struck effort deflected wide, whilst Stephen Warnock put a free header wide of target as Rovers started to get on top, but they were fleeting chances in an otherwise disappointing display.
Zurab Khizanishvili, roundly booed by the home fans because of his connection with city rivals Dundee, saw his day go from bad to worse when he diverted a Buaben centre into the back of his own net on 71 minutes to put the home side firmly in control.
With the clock counting down Sam Allardyce used the opportunity to give promising midfielder Jason Lowe his first taste of senior action, whilst Martin Olsson and Phil Jones were the only players to play the full ninety minutes.
DUNDEE UTD: Weaver, Webster (sub Kenneth 46 mins), Dods (c), Robertson (sub McCord 80 mins), Swanson (sub Roberts 69 mins), Buaben, Gomis (sub Conway 63 mins), Kovacevic, Shala (sub Myrie-Williams 74 mins), Dixon (sub Dillon 63 mins), Goodwillie (sub Russell 46 mins).
Subs not used: Banks (GK).
ROVERS: Robinson (sub Brown 46 mins), Jones, Samba (sub Hoilett 32 mins), Nelsen (c) (sub Khizanishvili 18 mins), Olsson; Diouf (sub Marshall 78 mins), Warnock (sub Flynn 69 mins), Gallagher (sub Doran 18 mins), van Heerden (sub Lowe 78 mins); Di Santo (sub Blackman 72 mins), McCarthy (sub Roberts 80 mins).
Attendance: 3717
