Tangerines back on target in draw

Dundee United scored their first league goal since August but Aberdeen came back for a point in an entertaining draw at Tannadice.

Midfielder John Rankin gave the hosts the lead midway through the opening-half but midweek Irish hero Niall McGinn equalised after the interval.

Dons keeper Jamie Langfield smothered early from Mark Millar, who also saw another long-range attempt saved before Gavin Rae was wayward at the other end.

However, it was the home side going ahead when Langfield could only parry from Johnny Russell and Rankin followed up to score.

But it required a fine save from Radoslaw Cierzniak to keep out Scott Vernon and preserve that lead, while Russell Anderson crucially challenged Russell in reply before having a header cleared off the line by Millar.

Home keeper Cierzniak was next in action when blocking from McGinn following the break and the visitors were then claiming for handball against Willo Flood inside the area.

Moments later Anderson helped on Ryan Fraser's corner and McGinn tapped in an equaliser, although his side could have soon found themselves trailing again but for a great Langfield stop on the line from Keith Watson.

His opposite number Cierzniak then reacted well to thwart Stephen Hughes and Langfield saved low from Russell as the action continued to exchange ends at regular intervals.

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Dillon, Daly, Gunning, Watson, Flood, Rankin, Millar (Ryan 82), Armstrong (Dow 82), Russell, Gardyne (Hilson 72)

subs (unused): Banks, McLean, Vignal, Gauld

Goals: Rankin (22)

Aberdeen: Langfield, Robertson, Anderson, Reynolds, Rae (Milsom 69), Clark, McGinn, Osbourne (Magennis 86), Hughes, Fraser (Hayes 75), Vernon

subs (unused): Rogers, Shaughnessy, Brown, Smith

Goals: McGinn (53)

Ref: Brines

Att: 9,858

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