Dundee Utd 2-2 Kilmarnock

McInnes scored one and set up McCracken for United's other

Dundee United grabbed a controversial point after fighting back from a two-goal deficit against Kilmarnock.

Steven Naismith headed in the opener from an Allan Johnston cross.

A looping effort from the striker then deceived Derek Stillie and entered the net off the post and then the goalkeeper's back before the break.

But David McCracken headed home for United before Derek McInnes fired the equaliser with Killie claiming that David Fernandez was offside.

On-loan Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew had made his first appearance in a month for Dundee United after knee surgery, taking the place of the suspended Mark Kerr.

Goalkeeper Alan Combe was restored to the Kilmarnock starting line-up after a one-game ban, while defender Gordon Greer made his first appearance since January in place of the suspended Garry Hay.

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United did the early pressing and Fernandez just failed to turn the ball home at the back post.

But the visitors opened the scoring against the run of play in the 13th minute.

Johnston's corner was met with a bullet header from Naismith that left Stillie with little chance.

The hosts almost struck back immediately, when Lee Miller headed a Robson corner narrowly wide from close range.

But Killie extended their lead in the 18th minute with a bizarre goal.

Johnston swung in a corner from the right that was cleared to Naismith at the edge of the box.

The youngster sent an optimistic looping left-foot overhead kick goalwards that seemed to deceive Stillie and hit the post before rebounding off the goalkeeper's back and into the net.

Colin Nish headed a Danny Invincible header wide to squander a chance of a 3-0 lead.

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Fernandez was sent clear at the other end, but the former Celtic striker's curling, left-foot effort from the edge of the box drifted harmlessly wide.

And only a fine save from Combe kept the hosts out when Mulgrew's free-kick from 25 yards was pushed behind for a corner as it looked destined for the top right-hand corner of the net.

United eventually levelled within five minutes of the break.

McCracken rose to head home a McInnes cross from six yards.

Then a McInnes shot deceived Combe, with the Killie defence claiming that Fernandez had been in an active, offside position.

Nish appeared to handle in the Killie box from a Robson corner, but referee Iain Brines this time disappointed the home side by waving away United's appeals for a penalty.

The Killie striker then had an effort saved at the other end and also headed wide as United held on for a draw.

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Dundee Utd: Stillie, McCracken, Kenneth, Mair, Mulgrew, Samuel, Robertson (Duff 79), McInnes, Robson, Miller, Fernandez.
Subs Not Used: Samson, Archibald, Cameron, Gardiner, Abbot, Goodwillie.

Goals: McCracken 47, McInnes 51.

Kilmarnock: Combe, Wilson, Ford, Wright, Greer, Invincibile, Fowler, Naismith, Johnston, Nish, Wales.
Subs Not Used: Smith, McDonald, Murray, Di Giacomo, Leven, Campbell, Bell.

Goals: Naismith 13, 18.

Att: 5,830

Ref: I Brines