Ross Graham’s last-gasp spot-kick denied Kilmarnock their first win of the Premiership season as Dundee United salvaged a 3-3 attract a exceptional recreation at Rugby Park.
United had led at half-time by means of Louis Moult’s second purpose in as many video games however David Watson’s spectacular volley and steered end put the hosts 2-1 forward.
Marley Watkins bundled residence a 3rd simply after the hour mark and Killie seemed to be coasting to 3 factors till VAR intervened, recommending referee Craig Napier reverse his determination to disallow Craig Sibbald’s long-range purpose for a foul.
And Napier was on the centre of the motion once more deep into added time when he adjudged Luca Stephenson to have been fouled and United defender Graham duly despatched Kieran O’Hara the fallacious approach from the penalty spot to safe the draw.
Killie stay eleventh after the late disappointment, whereas United drop to sixth regardless of the equaliser.
How Dundee United snatched a degree
Dundee United’s Ross Graham celebrates as he scores from the penalty spot to make it 3-3
Kilmarnock’s staff confirmed two modifications from the aspect who drew with St Mirren two weeks in the past, with Lewis Mayo in for the suspended Joe Wright and Brad Lyons changing Watson.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin additionally made two modifications, with Samuel Dalby and Louis Moult coming in for Jart van der Sande and Kristijan Trapanovski.
Dundee United had the primary probability of word within the eleventh minute as Stephenson was performed by means of on purpose however he couldn’t beat O’Hara who got here out to dam properly because the angle closed.
Stephenson had higher luck 10 minutes later, nonetheless, because the right-back latched onto an excellent cross-field cross by Will Ferry earlier than slicing the ball again for Moult to fit residence from six yards out.
Killie’s finest probability of the primary half got here within the thirty fifth minute when Danny Armstrong met Matty Kennedy’s cross with a header that flew simply over.
The hosts had been poor within the first half however they got here flying out of the traps within the second half, levelling after simply 90 seconds.
It was half-time substitute Watson who made the moment impression, getting on the tip of a deep Armstrong cross and connecting with an acrobatic scissor kick that flew previous Walton to stage for the hosts.
The purpose had sparked Kilmarnock into life they usually quickly took the lead simply earlier than the hour mark with Watson scoring his second inside quarter-hour of being on the pitch.
This one was an easier end, with the midfielder diverting Kennedy’s low shot from the sting of the field past Walton to make it 2-1.
Rugby Park was buoyant and remarkably – given the primary half efficiency – Killie discovered themselves two targets forward as Watkins prolonged their benefit within the sixty fourth minute.
Kennedy was concerned once more as his free-kick discovered Robbie Deas and, though his header hit the bar, Watkins was readily available to bundle the ball residence.
United had appeared shellshocked within the second half and barely threatened earlier than Sibbald acquired them again into the sport within the 79th minute, firing residence a low, swerving effort from simply exterior the field that residence goalkeeper O’Hara ought to maybe have accomplished higher with.
The purpose was initially chalked off for a foul however referee Craig Napier reversed his determination after being instructed to go to the monitor by VAR Grant Irvine.
United pushed for an equaliser and O’Hara appeared to have redeemed himself with two robust stops from Emmanuel Adegboyega and Vicko Sevelj.
However the keeper was unable to be the hero when, deep into stoppage time, Napier pointed to the penalty spot for a foul on Stephenson, as Graham coolly slotted the ball low into the left-hand nook to safe the draw.
What the managers stated…
Kilmarnock supervisor Derek McInnes: “In the second half we came out, and we looked like a really confident team, we had a bit of swagger about us for 35 minutes there.
“We have then simply misplaced a long-range shot we ought to be saving and an 80-yard punt the place we should always simply win the primary header.
“It’s just an overeagerness to get over the line and get the job done, and everyone trying to play their part. We were guilty, at times, of overexuberance and we have to use our experience and calmness more in that sort of moment.
“There have been extra positives from the staff’s efficiency at present than not, but it surely counts for nothing if you cannot defend your field as we could not within the dying embers of the sport.”
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin: “I have been concerned in video games like this as a participant and a supervisor after I’ve seen it go 4-1 and 5-1 and that is one thing the gamers can take credit score for.
“It’s easy to throw the towel in but that’s not the culture in the group. We never give up.
“And we acquired our reward. I feel earlier than the sport, a degree down right here just isn’t a nasty outcome as a result of gamers do not just like the pitch and Kilmarnock are a good staff.
“We’ve shown great resilience in pretty much every league game we’ve played.
“It was necessary to cease the rot after two defeats however my feelings are very combined as a result of I am disillusioned concerning the targets we have conceded having been snug, however then I am very pleased with the efforts of the gamers to maintain going and get one thing.”
