Premiership Ross County 1 Dundee United 1 Full time

David Babunski scored Dundee United's opener

Ronan Hale's 95th-minute equaliser saved a draw for Ross County against newly-promoted Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

David Babunski’s second-half goal looked certain to punish a profligate County side, who had missed a first-half penalty when Eamonn Brophy’s spot-kick was saved by Jack Walton.

Babunski's strike also seemingly spared the blushes of United winger Miller Thomson, who missed from two yards out after only 10 seconds of the match.

But County were able to rescue a draw when Hale turned Alex Samuel's cross in deep into added time for a deserved point.

It was a calamitous start for both sides as Thomson immediately robbed Will Nightingale from kick-off. Jort van der Sande went clean through, rounded the keeper and squared to Thomson, who not only missed from two yards, but managed to launch the ball over the stand and out of the stadium.

County responded well and forced a penalty when Walton spilled a relatively tame shot, allowing Hale to scamper to the rebound before the keeper fouled him. The on-loan Luton stopper made amends though, denying Brophy's weak penalty with a strong hand.

Hale continued to pester the United defence, sending one shot flying across the face of goal and seeing a left-footed volley tipped past the post.

Michael Efete and Akil Wright also went close, but at half-time it was goalless despite County's dominance.

Three minutes into the second half, United stung County. Will Ferry charged into the box, laying off for Babunski to roll his shot into the corner and give them a surprise lead.

The hosts struggled to respond and it looked far likelier that United would score a second. Kevin Holt tested Ross Laidlaw and substitute Louis Moult put a powerful header just over the bar.

But County, despite barely threatening after half-time, were not done. Samuel barged into the area and drilled a low cross in that Hale smashed into the top of the net.

More grit and composure as County escape defeat

The old cliche 'a game of two halves' was certainly applicable. Apart from the disastrous beginning - not the first time County have been caught on the ball in defence this season - they were much more composed on the ball than they were last week.

Aidan Denholm drove them on superbly from midfield, offering the energy and endeavour that Ross Callachan used to provide. Hale was sharp and incisive, and was absolutely desperate to shoot whenever he got the ball.

County's tally of 21 shots is the most they have attempted since the start of last season, but almost all of them came in the first half as they struggled to react to United's opener.

The goal came from the very last shot and they will need to be far more clinical in future. They could have been home and hosed by half-time.

United's new recruits shine as victory snatched away

The first half would have worried Jim Goodwin but the second-half reaction was far improved even if it ended in a draw.

Before the break, they only looked threatening on the counter but really, Kristijan Trapanovski was the only outball capable of creating anything dangerous.

After half-time, Babunski's goal buoyed them and the entire team got higher up the pitch, which was partly down to winning the midfield battle.

The Macedonian duo have bedded in well, with Babunski again wearing the armband. Wing-backs Ferry and Vicko Sevelj look like solid additions but more time is needed for Van der Sande, who has been preferred to Moult so far.

What they said

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "Disappointed to lose such an early goal in the second half and it gave Dundee United real momentum and control in the game. We kept going and showed great character."

Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin: "Did we deserve to win the game over the piece? Probably not, given how poor we were in the first 45 minutes. You've got to see the game and out and had we done that, it would've been a brilliant three points.