Dundee United came from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw with Dundee in a dramatic city derby at Tannadice on Sunday that keeps alive their slim hopes of avoiding relegation.
Dundee had looked on course to claim a first win away to their local rivals since August 2004 when leading marksman Kane Hemmings punished dreadful defending to score twice in the opening 45 minutes.
However, the game hinged on the sending-off of Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain six minutes into the second half.
Bain was shown a straight red card for bringing down United’s Billy McKay in the box, leaving Dundee a man down for most of the second half and allowing Northern Ireland striker McKay to pull a goal back from the spot.
Dundee substitute ‘keeper David Mitchell made a huge save from Edward Ofere as the visitors, chasing a win to boost their chances of a top-six finish, looked set to hold on.
But United equalized a minute into injury time when McKay headed home from close range with Mitchell taken out of the game.
However, Mitchell made another decisive intervention to deny Gavin Gunning and ensure a share of the spoils that leaves United seven points adrift of Kilmarnock at the foot of the table, albeit with a game in hand.
