Dundee United 2-2 Hibernian
- Published
Two late goals by substitutes David Goodwillie and Brian Graham prevented a fourth straight Scottish Premiership defeat for Dundee United.
Hibernian skipper Liam Craig had scored either side of half-time at Tannadice, a 12-yard strike followed by a penalty, to put Terry Butcher's men in charge.
But United hit back with seven minutes to go when Brian Graham set up on-loan striker David Goodwillie.
And in the final minute scorer turned provider as Graham lashed a shot home.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez was in the stand to assess Dundee United's promising youngsters who had lit up the first half of the season but who had been unable to prevent festive period losses to St Mirren, St Johnstone and Aberdeen.
They faced a revived Hibs side who arrived on Tayside still buoyed by their late 2-1 win over Edinburgh rivals Hearts at Easter Road a few days before.
Hibs took a while to get going but came close to making the breakthrough in the 15th minute.
Craig's corner was met by James Collins and his downward header looked to be going in before it was hooked off the line by United midfielder John Rankin.
Midway through the first half, Ryan Gauld went on a darting run before Hibs defender Michael Nelson halted him in his tracks.
From the resultant free-kick, Gauld rolled the ball to Ciftci who tried his luck from 25 yards but Ben Williams held the ball comfortably in the visitors' goal.
There was controversy on the half-hour mark as United pushed for the opener.
Nadir Ciftci struck a long ball forward for Gary Mackay-Steven which prompted Williams to run off his line before mis-kicking his attempted clearance.
Williams then grabbed Mackay-Steven who was about to home in on goal from just outside the box but the linesman raised his flag for offside and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Hibs went on to take the lead through Craig in the 37th minute.
John Souttar attempted to play a one-two out of defence with Mark Wilson but the ball fell to Paul Heffernan who wasted no time in threading a pass through to Craig.
The midfielder then ran on to fire a shot low into Cierzniak's far corner.
United suffered another setback a few minutes later when Ciftci was forced to go off injured and he was replaced by Graham.
It was end-to-end stuff by this stage and, in the 57th minute, Heffernan was next to try his luck and he let fly with a left-foot effort which skidded wide.
United made their second substitution on the hour when Goodwillie came on for Gauld in a bid to force an equaliser.
But it was the visitors who increased their lead soon after from the penalty spot.
Referee Steven McLean decided Souttar had shoved Collins as they contested a ball in the air and up stepped Craig to make it 2-0.
United almost pulled one back in the 79th minute when Mackay-Steven crossed and Paul Hanlon turned the ball towards his own goal, only for Williams to pull off a reflex save.
But seven minutes from time Goodwillie gave United some hope when he latched onto Graham's cross before turning and firing past Williams from close range.
Then, in the 90th minute, United levelled when Goodwillie's 12-yard shot was turned in by Graham as the points were shared.
- Published5 January 2014
- Published5 January 2014
- Published5 January 2014
- Published5 January 2014