Dundee United 3-3 Rangers

Jason Scotland celebrates the first of his two crucial goals

A last-minute strike by Jason Scotland gave United a point in an astonishing game at Tannadice.

Billy Dodds put United ahead with a tap-in inside a minute, but Steven Thompson put Rangers ahead with a close-range effort and a penalty.

Hamed Namouchi made it three before half time with a cool finish.

But Scotland, on as a half-time substitute, pulled United back into it with a volley and then he lashed home an equaliser in the dying seconds.

Dundee United made the best possible start to the game when after only 40 seconds Dodds nipped in at the back post to tap the ball in from an acute angle after Rangers keeper Alan McGregor misjusged Mark Wilson's free kick.

The visitors had a chance to equalise almost straight away when Michael Ball curled a free kick into the United box and Frank de Boer headed goalwards, only to see his effort hit the post and fall wide.

But Rangers were not behind for long as Alan Hutton combined with Chris Burke on the right and when the young midfielder put the ball into the box, Thompson slid in to prod the ball past Paul Gallacher after six minutes.

Incredibly, after only 14 minutes, Rangers were 2-1 ahead after a rampaging run by Stephen Hughes was halted unfairly inside the area by David McCracken and Thompson sent Gallacher the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The game was being played at a tremendous pace and Burke picked out Michael Mols with a superb pass, only for the Dutchman to strike the post.

Steven Thompson is congratulated on the first of his double

Mols passed up another glorious chance after 24 minutes when he completely miscued from De Boer's pass only eight yards out.

Chances continued to be created at either end, and it was Rangers who were next on the scoresheet a minute before the break.

Namouchi, on for the injured Mols, latched onto a long ball out of defence by De Boer and though Gallacher saved his first effort, the youngster coolly slotted home the rebound.

There was no let-up in the second half but Gavin Rae was stretchered off with a serious-looking knee injury after a challenge with Dodds.

United came right back into the game after 59 minutes when Scotland got on the end of an Andy McLaren flick before rifling the ball past McGregor.

McLaren passed up a superb chance to equalise when he headed wide from six yards out after Wilson had picked him out with a cross from the right.

A mazy run by the impressive Burke culminated in a left-foot shot that was held comfortably by Gallacher, and the United keeper then did well to keep out a Fernando Ricksen effort from close range.

At the other end, Dodds flashed a shot wide from 20 yards after the Rangers defence failed to clear effectively.

In the final minute, they once again failed to clear a Wilson cross and Scotland was first to react, smashing the ball past McGregor.

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Dundee Utd: Gallacher, Wilson, McCracken, Innes, Archibald, Kerr, Miller, McInnes, Robson, Dodds, McLaren.

Subs: Jarvie, Samuel, Duff, Easton, Scotland.

Rangers: McGregor, Hutton, Khizanishvili, Frank de Boer, Ball, Burke, Ricksen, Hughes, Rae, Mols, Thompson.

Subs: Robinson, Vanoli, Ross, Namouchi, McCormack.

Referee: D McDonald