Rangers 2 Dundee United 3

Player of the month David Goodwillie struck a dramatic late winner as Dundee United twice came from behind to deny Rangers top spot at Ibrox.

Tangerines midfielder David Robertson had earlier cancelled out a Nikica Jelavic opener just before the interval, although Steven Naismith soon volleyed the hosts back in front.

But Johnny Russell headed a second equaliser with thirteen minutes remaining before Goodwillie snatched the winner in a late breakaway just before the end.

Leading goalscorer Goodwillie, Barry Douglas and Danny Swanson were all wide of the mark from distance for the visitors, who though fell behind when El-Hadji Diouf's 19th minute free-kick was headed in by Croatian striker Jelavic.

Determined to make amends for their disappointing midweek Scottish Cup exit the away side battled back and Danny Swanson provided the inspiration for David Robertson to slot home an equaliser just before the interval.

The Taysiders then had something of an escape when Sean Dillon sliced an attempted clearance over his own crossbar early in the second-half.

However, that proved short-lived when from the subsequent corner Naismith fired home after Maurice Edu had knocked the ball down and the visitors failed to clear.

Midfielder Swanson then came close to another equaliser when sliding a shot wide following an excellent break before Steven Whittaker, Jelavic and Diouf threatened by way of reply.

Then with just thirteen minutes remaining Russell escaped his marker to level when firmly heading Paul Dixon's inviting cross past Allan McGregor.

The Rangers keeper was then forced to turn Goodwillie's testing cross against his own crossbar before his opposite number Dusan Pernis denied Jelavic.

But after Steven Whittaker had headed against their woodwork the visitors broke quickly and Morgaro Gomis allowed Goodwillie to finish in style and snatch a dramatic late winner.

Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Foster, Whittaker, Wylde, Edu, Davis, Naismith, Diouf, Jelavic

subs (unused): Alexander, Ness, Fleck, Kerkar, Hutton

Goals: Jelavic (19), Naismith (52)

Dundee United: Pernis, Watson, Dillon, Douglas (Severin 73), Dixon, S. Robertson (Conway 73), D. Robertson, Swanson (Buaben 81), Gomis, Goodwillie, Russell

subs (unused): Banks, Kovacevic, Armstrong, Shala

Goals: D. Robertson (45), Russell (77), Goodwillie (89)

Ref: S. Conroy

Att: 46,697

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