Motherwell were a man short for 53 minutes of this game but held out for a draw to continue an impressive recent run.

They came to Tannadice with a dreadful record of only two wins out of 36 Premier League visits but took the initiative right from the start.

It took them just four minutes to go ahead when a corner was cleared to Simo Valakari and he picked out ex-Rangers and Chelsea midfielder John Spencer.

His deft flick found Owen Coyle in space and he wasted no time in shooting into the net from 14 yards.

The home side came back and Kjell Olofsson gathered a superb Alex Mathie crossfield pass before firing in a fierce, angled effort which was beaten away by Mikko Kaven.

For Motherwell, Ged Brannan then saw a 30-yard free kick saved by home keeper Sieb Dykstra at the second attempt.

Then, in the 37th minute came the sending off for Motherwell.

Lee McCulloch elbowed ex-Arsenal star Siggi Jonsson in the face and was shown his second yellow card before being ordered off.

After the interval United brought on winger Joe Miller and he made a difference almost right away.

Three minutes into the second period his crossfield ball allowed Craig Easton a try at goal but his shot fell kindly for Billy Dodds and United's top scorer beat Kaven with a 12-yard shot on the turn.

United's joy was to be short-lived however when Brannan powered in another 25 yard free-kick which Dykstra failed to hold.

Coyle could not contain his glee when he slipped the rebound into the net.

On the hour mark United grabbed the equaliser when Miller's short corner allowed Bernard Pascual to swing the ball into the box for Jonsson to head into the net from 12 yards.

United continued to stay on top and Olofsson found Dodds with a header but his point blank range effort was saved by the keeper.

The home side stepped up the pressure but the visitors held on comfortably and thoroughly deserved their point.

Dundee Utd

Dykstra, Malpas, Jonsson, Patterson, Olofsson, Zetterlund, Easton, Mathie, Dodds, Skoldmark, Pascual. Subs: Dolan, Miller, Thompson, De Vos, Gallacher.

Motherwell

Kaven, May, McMillan, McGowan, Brannan, Valakari, Coyle, McCulloch, Doesburg, Teale, Spencer. Subs: Craigen, Ramsey, Bannister, Nevin, Adams.