Kilmarnock 2-2 Dundee: Two injury-time finishes ensure draw at Rugby Park
- Published
Wright's header sparked an frantic finale at Rugby Park
Joe Shaughnessy earned Dundee a Scottish Premiership point with the last kick of the ball against Kilmarnock in an incredible conclusion at Rugby Park.
Luke McCowan's fine first-half strike looked to be a rare highlight in a mundane contest, before the late madness was ignited by Joe Wright's header with five minutes of normal time to go.
Kilmarnock's fantastic run looked to have been extended when substitute Rory McKenzie poked home in injury time to put them in front, but dogged Dundee weren't down yet.
In a final foray forward, Owen Beck's corner was turned in by visiting captain Shaughnessy to cap off an explosive finale at Rugby Park.
An excellent run of form gave the hosts confidence heading into the game, shown by Kyle Vassell's audacious volley in the first minute.
After that was saved routinely by Trevor Carson, the game was lacking life before McCowan added another stunner to his collection with an arrowed finish from distance.
Dundee could have doubled their advantage early in the second period had Amadou Bakayoko connected with a drilled delivery at the end of a searing counter.
Having become accustomed to formidable home performances, the unsettled crowd was lifted when Wright's bullet header forced Carson into an superb sprawling save.
The defender would find the back of the net when he stood tall to finally make the most of a Kilmarnock corner and avoid just a third home defeat of the league season.
Relief turned into raptures when McKenzie ghosted into the box to fire in a winner, but Rugby Park was silenced when the imposing Shaughnessy snatched a point at the death in front of a joyous travelling support.
Player of the match - Joe Shaughnessy (Dundee)
The Dundee captain had batted away many Kilmarnock's advances before chaos broke out, then had his say with a late leveller to spare his side's blushes.
Late show leaves both sides ruing result - analysis
Nobody could have seen that conclusion coming with six minutes of regular time to go.
In the previous 84 minutes, Dundee looked to have stormed fortress Rugby Park and given their high-flying hosts a taste of their own medicine.
Kilmarnock haven't necessarily outplayed every opponent on their charge up the table, but they certainly have outfought them. Here though, it was the visitors displaying all the grit to seemingly grind out a win.
Their late antics through Wright and McKenzie seemed to display the character that those inside the dressing room have been talking up in recent weeks. Had they hung on, they would have cut the gap to Hearts in third and made a serious statement of intent.
However, McInnes was scuppered by his former assistant as Tony Docherty's team failed to accept defeat and bounced back to land a sucker punch right at the end.
The division's surprise package continue to show their quality and resolve. On another day, they could have headed home celebrating an away win at a tough venue.
What they said
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes: "It was a mammoth effort from everybody. When you score as late as we do, it's automatic to think that's going to be winning goal.
"But it's never over until it's over. Dundee are a huge side and are always a threat from set-pieces. You have to credit them. I thought they were the better side first half."
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "What a fantastic game of football. I thought it was the proverbial game of two halves. You need to credit Kilmarnock, they've got a fantastic home record. Celtic and Rangers come here and can't win.
"I'm glad they got their reward. Believe it or not, they're gutted in there with a point. That's what I want."
What's next?
Kilmarnock head to Ibrox on 2 January, while Dundee welcome St Johnstone to Dens Park at the same time (both 15:00 GMT).