Dundee United 1-1 Motherwell

Noel Hunt celebrated in style after scoring for United

Noel Hunt's quickfire equaliser denied former Dundee United player and coach Maurice Malpas a victory on his first visit to Tannadice as Motherwell boss.

Motherwell goalkeeper Colin Meldrum had denied Stuart Duff, Greg Cameron and Barry Robson with fine saves as United dominated the bottom-placed side.

Calum Elliot bundled the ball home for Well after the break with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.

But Hunt rose to head home from a Duff cross to give United a deserved point.

Duff had taken the place of United player-manager Craig Brewster, who had dropped himself after the midweek CIS Cup defeat by St Johstone.

Steven Robb and fit-again David McCracken came in for Craig Conway and Garry Kenneth.

Tangerines legend Malpas was without injured defender Brian McLean.

And his side were quickly under pressure as Duff strode forward before striking a low 30-yard shot that goalkeeper Colin Meldrum did well to smother at his right post.

A Greg Cameron shot took a deflection off team-mate Hunt, but the wrong-footed Meldrum recovered well to save.

Motherwell spurned a great chance in the 20th minute when Jim Paterson's cross deceived goalkeeper Derek Stillie, but Richie Foran could not get a toe on the ball at the back post.

United also squandered a good opportunity when full-back Christian Kalvanes headed wide of the target from a Robson free-kick.

Meldrum was called on to make his best stop so far when he pushed a Robson 20-yarder away from his right corner.

The Well goalkeeper looked to have been deceived by a Robson drive after the break but managed to turn the ball over the crossbar.

A Stephen McGarry effort from 18 yards was brilliant blocked by Stillie, who saved well again from McDonald after he latched on to the rebound.

Elliot was lurking and, despite an attempt to block him by Archibald, he forced the ball home from a couple of feet.

The lead was short-lived, however, as four minutes later a Duff cross from the right reached Hunt, who headed powerfully past Meldrum for the equaliser.

United should have moved ahead when another Duff cross evaded Hunt then Cameron failed to make a proper connection.

McDonald twice went close for Well before United had appeals for a penalty waved away.

Keith Lasley fouled Robson, but referee Mike Conroy decided the offence occurred inches outside the area.

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Dundee Utd: Stillie, Proctor, McCracken, Archibald, Kalvenes, Robb (Conway 56), Kerr, Cameron, Robson, Hunt, Duff (Samuel 80).
Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Kenneth, Robertson, Goodwillie.

Booked: Proctor.

Goal: Hunt 64.

Motherwell: Meldrum, Paterson, Craigan, Reynolds, Paul Quinn, Lasley, Kerr, Fitzpatrick, Maguire, Foran (Elliot 59), McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Graeme Smith, McCormack, McBride, Fagan, Robert Donnelly, Connolly.

Booked: Lasley.

Goal: Elliot 61.

Att: 5,036

Ref: S Conroy